MANTLE XENOLITHS FROM THE ATTAWAPISKAT - T-Space
Transcript of MANTLE XENOLITHS FROM THE ATTAWAPISKAT - T-Space
MANTLE XENOLITHS FROM THE ATTAWAPISKAT KIMBERLITE FIELD, JAMES BAY LOWLANDS, ONTARIO
Kimberley R. Scully
A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Graduate Department of Geology
University of Toronto
0 Copyright by Kimberley R. ScuiIy, 2000
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Mantle XenoUths from the Attawapiskat Kimbcrlite Field, James Bay Lowlands, Ontario
Master of Science January 2000
Kimberley R Scully Department of Geology, University of Toronto
A chernical investigation of coarse texttued, gamet-bearing peridotite xenoliths
and xenocrysts h m the Attawapiskat kimberlite field was undertaken. The kimberlites
occur in the James Bay Lowlands, in the Sachigo subprovince of the Superior Craton.
Fragments of coarse textured lhenoiite, harzburgite and eclogite occur as
microxenoliths(I 1.5 cmdiameter). Most ofthexenoliths occuras oneortwo phase
assemblages (olivine * orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, gamet, spinel). Gamet-bearing
assemblages were investigated for the purposes of geothermobarometry.
Calcdated pressures and temperatures of equilibration indicate that gamet
hanburgites equilibrated at depths within the diarnond stability field, and gamet
lhenolites at depths within the graphite stability field. Al1 the xenoliths equilibrated near
a 40rn~rn-~ subcratonic steady-state geothermal gradient.
Extensive modal metasomatism occurred in the mantle prior to xeno liths being
incorporated into the kimberlite magma This rnetasomatism extended to great depths
below the Superior Craton in the Attawapiskat region.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
1 would like to thank Professor Daniel J. Schulze for his guidance and, most
importantly, the patience to supervise my studies for two years.
Special thanks also to professor's James Brenan and Mike Gorton, rny illustrious
cornmittee members; Claudio Cennignani and George Kretschmann for hours of help on
the microprobe; George Taylor and Sean McConville for their ultra-quick thin section
preparation; Don Boucher, Herman Gruter, and Julie Kong at Monopros Ltd. for
discussion; Bruce Jago and Dante Canil for important data; Professon E.T.C. Spooner
and Jim Mungall at UofT; The administrative staffat the Department of Geology,
University of Toronto and the Earth Sciences Department at Erindale College; and Lon-
ann Pizzolato for important (and sometimes even geological!) discussions.
Samples of the Attawapiskat kimberlites were provided to Professor Schulze by
Monopros Ltd.. Research was performed grants from Lithoprobe and NSERC. Thank
you all.
Last, but certainly not least, I thank my family and friends - who pmbably didn't
understand most of it, but graciously pretended they did.
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page 1
Aclmowledgements iii
Table of Contents iv
List of Tables vi
List of Plates vii .. .
List of Figures vsll
List of Appendices ix
CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Regional Setting 2
1.2.1 Kimberlite Geology 8 1.2.1.1 Kimberlite 8 1.2.1.2 Xenoliths 1 1
1.3 Previous Work 12 1.4 Methodology 13
1 .4.1 Sample Preparation 13 1.4.2 Mineral Chernical Analysis 13
CHAPTER 2 - PETROGRAPHY 2.1 Introduction 15 2.2 Attawapiskat Xenoliths 17
2.2.1 Metasomatic Minenls 19 CHAPTER 3 - MINERAL CHEMISTRY
3 . 1 Introduction 25 3.2 Detailed Mineral Chemistry 25
3 1 . 1 Heavy Mineral Separates 25 32.1.1 Gamet 26 3 3.1.2 Clinopyroxene 35 3 2 1 . 3 Orthopyroxene 38 3.2.1.4 Chromite 38
3.2.2 Xenoliths: Primary and MetasomatidSecondary Assemblages-43 3 5.2.1 Primary Minerais: Olivine 43 3.2.2.2 Gamet 45 3.2.2.3 Clinopymxeae 48 3.2.2.4 Orthopyroxene 49
3.2.3 Metasomatic Minerais 49 3.2.3.1 Amphibole 51 3.2.3.2 Phiogopite 51
3.2.3.3 Clinopyroxene 53 3.2.3.4 Chromite 53
CHAPTER 4: THERMOBAROMETRY 4.1 Introduction 60
4.1.1 Geothermometers and Barometers 60 4.1.2 Required Conditions for Equilibnum Estimates 61 4.1.3 The Attawapiskat Mantle Xenolith Suite 62
4.2 Olivine-Gamet Thennometry, Enstatite-Gamet Barometry 63 4.3 Pressure - Temperature Results 66 4.4 Thermometry Results 69
4.4.1 Town for coarse Gamet Peridoti tes 69 4.4.2 Ni-in-gamet Geothemorneter 71 4.4.3 Cornparkon of TOw79 and TNi 73
4.5 Deformed Lherzolites 74 CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION
5.1 Introduction 78 5.2 Mineral Chemistry 78 5.3 Geothermobammetry 79
5.3.1 Pressure - Temperature Result s 79 5.3.2 Temperature Results 80 5.3.3 The Attawapiskat P - T "Gap" 8 1
5.4 Metasomatism 8 1 5.5 Deformed Peridotites 83 5.6 Diamond Potential 84
CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSIONS 6.1 The Attawapiskat Mantle Xenolith Suite 85
REFERENCES 86
LIST OF TABLES
CHAPTER 2: PETROGWHY Table 2- 1 24
CHAPTER 4: GEOTHERMOBAROMETRY Table 4-1 77
LIST OF PLATES
Plate 1 18 Plate 2 18 Plate 3 20 Plate 4 20 Plate 5 22 Plate 6 22
vii
LIST OF FiGURES
CHAPTER 1 : Introduction Figure 1-1 3 Figure 1-2 4 Figure 1-3 5 Figure 1-4 9
CHAPTER 2: PETRQGRAPHY Figure 2-1 16
CHAPTER 3: MINERAL CHEMISTRY Figure 3- 1 27 Figure 3-2 28 Figure 3-3 29 Figure 3-4 31 Figure 3-5 32 Figure 3-6 33 Figure 3-7 34 Figure 3-8 36 Figure 3-9 37 Figure 3-10 39 Fi- 3-1 1 40 Figure 3-12 41 Figure 3-13 42 Figure 3-14 44 Figure 3-15 46 Figure 3- 16 47 Figure 3-1 7 50 Figure 3-1 8 52 Figure 3-19 54 Figure 3-20 56 Figure 3-21 57 Figure 3-22 58
CHAPTER 4: GEOTHERMOBAROMETRY Figure 4-1 68 Figure 4-2 70 Figure 4-3 72 Figure 4-4 75
LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix A: Electron Microprobe Standards and Operations Specifications 93 Appendix B: Mineral Analyses 94
Olivine ftom xenoliths 95 Gamet h m xenoliths 98 ûrthopyroxene h m xenoliths 1 03 Clinopyroxene fkom xenoliths 1 04 Metasomatic Clinopymxene 1 04 Amphiiole fkom xenoliths 105 Phlogopite fiom xenoliths 1 06 Chromite fkom xenoliths 107 Gamets fiom "Al" concenûate IO8 Gamets fiom "G" concentrate 115 Gamets fiom "V" concentrate 119 Clinopyroxenes nom "V" concentrate 122 Orthopyroxenes fiom "V" concentrate 124 Chmites fiom "V" concentrate 125 LA-ICP-MS for 14 gamets from "Cr' concentrate 128
CEAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
The Earth's made constitutes approximately two thirds of the planet, and yet it
remaias largely inaccessible to dctailed study. Geophysical investigations reveal
cornplex heterogeneities in the mantle. Geophysical data cannot, however, reveal the
chernical processes that take place there to create the observed heterogeneities. Direct
chemical analysis of the mantle is possible through analysis ofxenoliths of mantle
material (spinel and gamet-bearing peridotites, eclogite, and rare dunite), brought to the
surface by kimberlite and certain other alkaline volcanic rocks. Kimberlites are
ultrapotassic, volatile-rich magmas which originate at depths greater than 200 km below
the surface of the Earth, below thick, cool Archean craton roots (Mitchell, 1986). As
they rise towards the surface. kimberlites entrain fragments of the mantle through which
they pass. These fragments provide petrologists with small pieces of the mantle rocks,
and as such act as "windows" to the maritle below.
The cool peridotitic roots of Archean cratons have been identified as the source
region for diamonds recovered fiom kimberli tes and lampmites (Mitchell, 1986).
Academic and economic interest in understanding the way diamonds form in their source
region bas sthulated studies of mantle xenoliths recovered from kimberlite pipes. Many
rnantle xenoliths are recovered h m active diamond mines. Diamond exploration and
mining companies study xenolith chemistry to help design exploration programs specific
to the m i d e rock-îypes sampled by kimberlites in an effort to target the most lucrative
prospects.
Discovcries of kimberlite pipes and diamonds in Canada during the last two
decades have provided opportunities to examine several new suites of mantle xenoliths,
aüowing research into the mantle below the Canadian Shield, the wotlds largest Archean
craton (Card and Ciesielski, 1986). The Attawapiskat kimberlite field, in the Supenor
Province of the Canadian Shield, in northem Ontario, was discovered by Monopros Ltd.
in 1984. This study is an investigation of the chemistry of minerals fiom xenoliths
recovered from exploration drill core nom the Attawapiskat kimberlites. The data have
been used to constrain the composition of the mantle below the western Superior craton,
determine the subcratonic geothemal gradient at Attawapiskat, and to qualiQ modal
metasomatim in the source region.
1.2 Regional Settlng
The Attawapiskat kimberlite field is located approximately 120 km west of James
Bay on the Attawapiskat River in Northem Ontario (Figures 1 - 1 to 1-3). There are 18
kimberlite pipes in the Attawapiskat cluster. Sixteen of the pipes are owned by
Monopros Ltd.. The remaining two pipes, MacFadyen 01 and 02, ore owned by KWG-
Spider Resowes. The pipes lie within the James Bay Lowlands physiographic region,
an area of dense muskeg swamp and stunted spruce forests on the southem limit of
pennafhst (Johnson et al., 1991; Figure 1-2). The kimberlites inûude Archean basement
rocks of the Supenor Province, Palaeozoic and Mesozoic sedimentary rocks of the Moose
River Basin, and Quaternq and HoIocene glacial and lake deposits on the north and
south shores of the Attawapiskat River (Figure 1-3).
Figure 1-1 : Subprovinœ divisions of the Superior Province within Ontario. Boxed area is detailed in Figure 1-3. Modified after Thompson et al., (1 991); Su bprovince boundaries from Card and Ciesielski (1 989).
Figun 1-2: Hudson Bay and Moose River Sedimentary Basins, with associateci continental arches. Boxed area is detailed in Figure 1 -3. The Attawapiskat kimberlite pipes lie at the zero (O) displacëment line between the Moose River Basin and the Cape tienrietta-Maria Arch. Modified after Thompson et al., (1 991).
Scale (km)
Figure 1-3: The Attawa piskat kim M i t e field. Kimberlite pipes are represented by black diamonds, with names beside each pipe. Modified after Sage (1 996).
Regional tectonics associated with craton accretion in the Superior Province
created a province-wide basin and dome structure (Williams et al., 199 1; Johnson et al.,
1991). Intracratonic basins acted as depocentres for the infiw of sedirnents associated
with increased erosion rates during the Appalachain orogeny. The Hudson Bay Platform
in northern Ontario, and St. Lawrence Platforni in southem Ontario, were the two major
depocenters active during the Paiaeozoic and Mesozoic (Johnson et al., 1991).
Deposition in northem Ontario was centrd on two intracratoaic basins, the large
northem Hudson Bay Basin, underlying most of what is now Hudson Bay and James
Bay, and the much smdler Moose Rivet Basin, undcrlying the southwest tip of James
Bay (Johnson et al., 1991 - Figure 1-2.). The two basins are divided by the north-east
trending Cape Henrietta-Maria Arch (an extension of the transcontinental arch - Sanford
and Noms, 1975). The Moose River Basin is bounded on the southeast by the Fraserdale
Arch, the northeast by the Saguenay Arch, and by the Severn Arch - Fnwrdale Arch to
the southwest (Johnson et al., 199 1; Williams et al., 199 1). Sedimentary rocks of the
Hudson Bay Platform cover approximately 320,000 km2 of northem Ontario, underlying
Hudson Bay and James Bay, and much of the curent land surface surrounding the bays
(Johnson et al., 199 1). The Attawapiskat kimberiites lie on the northwest flank of the
Moose River basin, near the iaflection point h m the basin to the Cape He~etta-Maria
Arch.
Sedimentation in the Moose River Basin began in the middle to upper Ordovician
and continued intemiittently to the mid to Wper Cretaceous (Sanford and Noms, 1975).
The sehentary rocks of the Moose River Basin consist of limestones and dolostones,
with intercalateci &aies and sandstones. The youngest sedimentary rocks preserved in
the immediate vicinity of the kimberlite pipes are the 428-421 Ma reef and inter-reef
deposits of the Attawapiskat Formation (Sanford and Noms, 1975). These resistant
biohemal dolostones and ümestones form outcrops along the banks of the Attawapiskat
River. Locaiiy, the Attawapiskat Formation confonnably overlies the middle Silurian
age lhestones and dolostones of the Ekwan Fonnation. The Attawapiskat formation is
confonnably overlain by the upper Silurian age evaporitic deposits of the Lower Member
of the Kenogami River Fonnation to the north of the kimberlite cluster (Johnson et al.,
1991). Fragments of the Kenogami formation strata are preserved as xenoliths in the
kimberlites, indicating that the pipes erupted before the current level of erosion of the
Palaeozoic sediments was attained (Kong et al., 1999).
Archean rocks of the Superior and Hearn Provinces, and the Proterozoic Trans-
Hudson Orogen, are completely covered by the sedimentary rocks of the Hudson Bay
Platform along the Hudson Bay Coast (Williams et al., 1991). Sedimentary rocks of the
Moose River Basion lie completely within the boundaries of the Superior Province
(Williams et al., 1991). The basement rock in the region of the Attawapiskat kimberlites
is the northern part of the Sachigo subprovince, just south of the contact between the
Sachigo and Winisk subprovinces (Card and Ciesielski, 1986; Thurston et al., 1991). The
Sachigo subprovince consists of granite-greenstone belts, separated by granite pluton and
metasedimentary units (Thurston et al., 199 1 ; Henry et ai., 1997). Ages of these
basement rocks range from 2.65 - 3.17 Ga, making the Sachigo the oldest subprovince of
the Supenor Craton (Thunton et al., 199 1; Henry et al., 1997).
A teleseismic study by Grand (1987) nported a good cesolution, high-velocity
mot below the northwest Superior Province to a depth of - 400 km. Results h m Grand
(1987) also Uidicate that the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundaty is at least 200 km below
the d a c e in the vicinity of the pipes.
Resistant cliffs of biohemal deposits of the Attawapiskat formation are
discontinuous dong the banks of the river near the location of the kimberiite pipes, with
swamp-covered lows intermittent between the outcrops. Suchy and Stearn (1993)
attriute the intermittent iows to severai fauits associated with a continent-wide fauit
system. The Attawapiskat kimberlites occur in the vicinity of several of these faults
(Figure 1-4).
Quaternary deposits in the Attawapiskat region consist of two thin till sheets,
overlain by marine Holocene deposits (Kong et al., 1999). Thickness of these glacial and
modem marine sediments ranges fiom 5.5 - 54.0 m over the lcimberlites (Kong et al.,
1999).
1.2.1 hber l i te Geology
1.2.1. l Kim berlire
The Attawapiskat kimberlites were discovered in 1984 by Monopros Ltd., using a
combination of sediment sampling for kimberlite indicator minerals and aeromagnetic
m e y s . Pipes were named based on geophysical grid coordinates (example, Alpha4 nt
the intersections of h e s "A" and "1"). For this study, the names of the pipes have been
abbreviated to letter-nurnber combinations ("Al"), or just letters ('Y") where
appropriate. The kimberlites lie dong a northwest trend, primarily to the south of the
Attawapiskat River (Figure 1-3). The trend is similar to Uiat of the kimberlite pipe
occ~r~ences in the Northwest Temtories (Kong et al., 1999), and dong the northwest
Ekwan R. Fm. Attawapiskat Fm. Kenogami R. Fm.
Figure 14: Faults in the vicinity of the Attawapiskat kimberlite field. Solid Iines = faults, dashed to dotted - inferred faults, with increasing uncertainty. a) Plan view* Black diamonds - kimberlite pipes. ~ i n e X- X-Y-Y' is cross section presented in b. b) Cross section X-X-Y-Y'. Vertical sa le is exaggerated. Modified from Suchy and Stearn (1 993).
trend for kimberlites within the Canadian Shield defined by Sage (1996). Rocks of two
of the pipes outcrop, one to the south of the river ("X"), and one that is incised by the
Attawapiskat River and thus outcrops on the nverbank ("U"). Surface area of the pipes
ranges h m 0.4 - 15 ha (Kong et al., 1999). Fifteen of the 16 pipes are diarnondiferous,
and buk sampling of several pipes is ongoing (Kong et al., 1999; Don Boucher, personal
communication) Xenoliths h m several of the 16 Monopros Ltd. pipes were
investigated in this study.
Two mineralogical and textural types of kirnberlite occur. Spinel-carbonate
kimberlite and monticellite kimberlite both occur as macrocrystic uniform to
segregationary textured hypabyssd kimberlite, and macrocrystic pyroclastic kimberlite
(Kong et al., 1999). Many of the kimberlite bodies have textures gradational between
segregationary hypabyssal kimberlite and pyroclastic kimberlite (Kong et al., 1999).
Most of the diatremes appear to be the result of single intrusions. Pipes "Al North",
"D 1". 'T' and "V", however, have geophysical signatures which suggest multiple pulses
of kimberiite magma emplacement (Kong et al., 1999).
Various ages have been determined for several of the Attawapiskat pipes. Rb/%
on phlogopite nom the Monopros Ltd. pipes yielded mode1 ages of 155 - 170 Ma (Kong
et al., 1999). URb ages h m perovskite grains recovered fiom the two MacFadyen pipes
give ages of 177 - 179 Ma V 2.2 Ma (Hetman, 1996; Kong et al., 1999). Whereas 15 o f
the pipes have nomial magnetic polarization, pipe 'W' has reverse magnetic polarization,
indicathg it enrpted during a reversai of the Earth's magnetic field. It has been
determined that pipe "U'' is older than the other pipes (Hetman, 1996; Kong et al., 1999).
1.2.1.2 Xenoliths
The Attawapiskat lcimberlite pipes contain numemus country-rock xenoliths.
Fragments of Moose River Basin seâimentary rocks are abundant. Xenoliths of the
Ekwan, Attawapiskat and Kenogami formations range in size fiom # 1 cm to 30 cm, and
are angular to subrounded. Most of the sedimentary hgments display little or no
evidence of themal alteration induced by entrainment within the kimberlite magma.
Many of the country rock bgments contain fossils with very delicate featwes (such as
individual coral septae) that are perfectly preserved and unaffected by the kimberlite
magma,
Fragments of Archean basement rocks are also common, and gamet +
clinopyroxene f plagioclase (grandite facies rock), tonalitic and amphibolitic gneiss f
gamet have been identified by Moser and Krogh (1995). Moser et al. (1997) reported an
age range of 2920-3050 Ma for one rock-foming event, recorded in detrital zircons from
amphibolite-facies paragneiss xenoliths. Moser et al. (1 997) dso presented U/Pb. Rb&
and Sm/Nd analyses of metarnorphic zircons from granulite-facies xenoliths as evidence
for high-temperatw metamorphism of the deep cnist at Attawapiskat which occurred
sometime between the late Archean and late Proterozoic,
Ultramafic xenoliths are cornmon in some pipes ("Al", "(31') 'P 1") and absent in
pipe "Y"'. The vast majonty of mantle fragments occut as microxenoliths (#1 cm
diameter), consisting of one or more phases. Single crystals, especially olivines, are the
dominant mantle hgments. Most of the composite made hgments are coarse-
texhued, metasomatized gamet iherzolites and hanburgites. Large (3 1 cm) single
crystals of gamet, olivine, clinopymene and ilmenite (megacrysts) are present in the
kimberlites. Fluidal-textured, disrupted gamet pendotites and eclogite fragments are
rare, but have been recovered fkom several pipes.
1.3 Previous Work
The Attawapiskat kimberlites are owned by Monopros Ltd., a subsidiary of De
Been Consolidateci Mines Ltd.. Kong et al. (1997) presented an account of the
exploration and discovery of the Attawapiskat kimberlite pipes. Kong et al. (1999)
outlined exploration, discovery, geology of the kimberlites and xenoliths. Results of
chemical analysis of a small group of mantle xenoliths from the Attawapiskat kirnberlites
are detailed in Schulze and Hetman (1997). Hetxnan (1996) gave a detailed chemical and
petrographic analysis of ilmenite-silicate intergrowths recovered nom diamond drill core.
Alkaline intrusions of kimberlite, carbonatite and alnoite mnity fiom Hearst, Ontario
(-250 km south of Attawapiskat), discovered by aeromagnetic survey by BP Resources,
Canada, are descn'bed by Jase et al. (1989).
Kimberlite pipes fiom Kirklûnd Lake, Ontario, approximately 400 km to the
southeast of the study area, are the geographically closest other kimberlite field to
Attawapiskat. Kirkland Lake kimberlite exploration, discovery, and chemical and
petrographic analyses are surveyed by Sage (1 996). Chernical analyses of kimberlites
and xenocrysts h m Kiridand Lake are presented in Bnunmer et al. (1992% 1992b).
Mantie xenoiiths h m Kirkland Lake pipes were described by Meyer et al. (1 994), Sage
(1996), and Vicker (1997).
1.4 Methodology
1.4.1 Sarnple Preparation
Kimberlite diamond drill core was made available to the University of Toronto by
Monopros Ltd. and was examined for ultramafic xenoliths. Multi-phase assemblages
were extracted for chernical and petrographic analysis. Mantle xenoliths are quite small
(5 1.5 cm) in these rocks, and often cousist of only one or two phases. To prevent loss of
material during preparation, xenoliths were mounted in 2.5 cm diameter epoxy rings.
Samples were ground until the rninerals desind for analysis were exposed, and then
polished at the University of Toronto thin section laboratory. Heavy minerai separates
were created by Overburden Drillhg Management Ltd., using chip sarnples fiom reverse-
circulation drilling for buk ore analysis (pipe "V'?, and crushed drill core fragments
(pipes "A" and "G"). Mineral mounts of gamet, chromite, and clinopyroxene were
created using grains fiom the 0.5-1 .O mm size fraction. Thin sections of sheand
lhenolite samples were made at the University of Toronto thin section labontory.
1.4.2 Minera1 Chernical Analysis
Major element c hemical analysis of seven rninerals (gamet, olivine,
clinopymxene, orthopyroxene, chornite, amphibole and phlogopite) was done using a
Cameca SX-50 electron microprobe at the Duncan Rarnsey Derry Laboratory at the
Department of Geology, University of Toronto. Minerais were analyzed in wavelength
dispersive mode, and data corrections were made on-line using standard SX-50 PAP
procedures. An accelerating voltage of 15 kV was used for gamet, chopyroxene,
orthopyroxene, phlogopite and amphibole, and 20 kV for chromite and olivine. Beam
currents used were 20 nA (chrornite), 25 nA (orthopyroxene, cliaopyroxene, amphibole)
and 30 UA (orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, olivine, gamet). Phlogopite grains were
analyzed using a beam current of 8 nA to prevent volatilization of Cl and F. Count times
for each element varied according to the mineral being analyzed, and are summarized
dong with other operational specifications in Appendix A.
CHAPTER 2: PETROGRAPFN
2.1 Introduction
Xenoliths in khberlite indicate that the Earth's upper rnantle consists predominantly
of olivine, with large amounts of orthop yroxene and some clinop yroxene. Classitication
of mantic rock types is based on modal abundance of olivine, orthopyroxene and
clinopyroxene, as depicted in the IUGS ultramafic rock triangle (Figure 2-1).
Pyroxenites, rocks consisting of < 40 modal % olivine and > 60 modal % pyroxene
(orthop yroxene andor clinop yroxene), and which inc lude olivine webstente and
websterite, are rare as xenoliths in kimberlite. No pyroxenite xenoliths were recovered
fiom the Attawapiskat core.
The term "pendotite" encompasses al1 of those ultramafk rock types with 40-100
modal % olivine. Subdivision of peridotites is based on the presence of orthopyroxene
and/or clinopyroxene. Although the IUGS classification defines harzburgite as
containhg up to 5 modal % clinopyroxene and wehrlite with up to 5 modal %
orthopyroxene, it is accepted practice in mantle xenolith studies to use the term iherzolite
for any peridotite that contains both orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene. Further
subdivision of peridotite rocks is based on accessory minerais. MgAL-spinel is the most
common accessory phase in cratonic peridotites at pressures below - 20 kbar (s 60 km
depth). Above 20 kbar, gamet is the stable Al-bearing accessory mineral. Cr-rich spinel
may coexist with gamet at pressures >20 kbar, and occur as the Cr-bearing phase during
the metasomatic bnakdown of gamet.
OLIVINE WEBSTERITE
OPX CPX
Figure 2-1: IUGS major ultramafic rock-types in terms of olivine (OL), clinopyroxene (CPX), and orthopyroxene (OPX). Lherzolite and harzburgite may have garnet at high- pressure (*15kbar, -90O0C) or spinel at lower pressures (1 0- 1 Skbar, -900°C) as accessory phases (Haggerty, 1995). Eclogite (not shown) is grossular-pyrope-almandine garnet + omphacitic diopside.
2.2 Attawapiskat XenoUths
The small size and hgility of the Attawapiskat xenoliths prohibited thin sectioning,
so petrographic observations were made using reflected light microscopy and back-
scattered imagery in the electron microprobe. Mineral identification was facilitated by x-
ray dispersive spectroscopy (EDS scanner) in the electron microprobe.
Mantle xenoliths fiom the Attawapiskat kimberlites occur as rounded to subrounded
microxenoliths (Sl.5 cm diameter) of one or more phases. The most common mantle
xenoliths are gamet-olivine pairs, however several olivine + gamet + orthopyroxene
(harzburgi te) xenoli ths were also recovered.
Olivine occurs as fkesh, equant unstrained grains commonly < 2 mm in dimeter
plates 1,3,4 and 6). Xenoliths containing fiesh equant olivine p i n s rnay be classified
as "coarse" ushg the terminology of Harte (1 977). Minor secondary serpentinization
occurs dong olivine grain margins and in cracks and veins. The extent to which
individual grains of olivine have been serpentinized may vary between grains within a
single xenolith.
Gamet grains may Vary h m 0.5 to 7 mm in diameter. Gamets are generally
clear, red to purple coloured munded @S. Gamets in eclogite xenoliths are orange-
pi& in colour. Many gamets have multiple fhctures fiIled with fine-grained phlogopite,
small euhedral spinels, and fine-grained alteration material.
Pendotite gamets are commonly partially replaced by phlogopite * amphibole * chromite. Gamets may also be replaceci by clinopyroxene. The two replacement types
have the foilowing textures:
Pirt. 1 : Gamet I h d b 13-95-34 Gamet (Gnt) is parüally replaœd by amphibok (Amph), phlogopite (Phbg) and chramite. ûther gamets in this sampk have been compktsly replaeed by amph + phbg + chromW. F i v h = 4 mm.
PWI 2: Sampîe 13-9549. Gamet (Ont) paidiilîy mpkced by amphibole
v#micuiwidm in th phkgagite and mphibok. F i dviewr 4m
1) Partial replacement of gamet by very h e grained (cc L mm) flakes of
phlogopite fine grained (51 mm) amphibole, where either phlogopite or both
phlogopite and amphibole have vemicuiar inclusions of chromite. The gamet has
embayed contacts with both phlogopite and amphibole. Gamets do not have
kelyphite rims. (Plates 1 and 2).
2) Partial replacement by clinopyroxene, without any associated phlogopite. Gamet
grain margins are embayed where in contact with the clinopyroxene (Plates 3,4
and 6).
Two primary clinopyroxene grains were found, in samples 13-102-05 and 13- 102-
12 (pipe bbX"). The primary clinopyroxene occurs as small (- 2 mm diameter),
subrounded, bright green grains without exsolution textures. No alteration of the
clinopyroxene grains was evident. Clinopyroxenes in two eclogite siunples ;ire dark
green, rounded, unaltered grains without any inclusions or exsolution lamellae.
Orthopyroxene is typically rare, and is extensively altered to serpentine where
present. Orthopyroxene grains are generally small (- 2 mm), coarse equant, and opaque
blue-white where altered to serpentine. Four grallis have clear, pale-yellow cores that
have sharp contacts with serpentine replacing the gain rims (Plates 4 and 5).
2.2.1 Metasomatic Minerals
With the exception of just a few olivine - gamet pairs, mantle xenoiiths at
Attawapiskat have undergone some degree of metasomatism. Fine-graineci alteration
materid with associated phlogopite and c h m i t e filied cracks and infiltrated dong grain
margiiis. Most of the gamet-bearing xenoliths have gamets which have been partiaîiy
P M 3: Gamet Ihemolite 13-95-83. Gamet (Gd) is pamliy replaœd by dinapyroxeiw (Cpx). Phlogopite (Phkg) and Chromite are secondary minerais. The gamet has mbayed mrgins whem it k in contact with the dinopymxene. Olivine - Olk F i of view = 4 mm.
replaced with phlogopite amphibole * chromite. Some gamets have been partially
replaced b y clinop yroxene.
Phlogopite occurs in thm different textural associations:
As very fine-@ed mantles on gamet and olivine, as mantles around the whole
xenolith, and f i b g veins and cracks interstitial to and within major phases. The
phlogopite grains are euheâral and arc green-brown in colour. The phlogopites occur
with fme-grained alteration material (phlogopite textural type "1" - Plate 3).
As a single, optically continuous precipitate filling veins in gamet and olivine, similar
to igneous orthocmulate texture @ hlogopite textural type '2").
As large flakes, occunhg with amphibole to partially replace gamet. Phlogopites of
this association may or may not have vermicular inclusions of chromite (phlogopite
texturai type "3" - Plates 1.2 and 3).
Amphibole occurs with phlogopite and chromite to partially replace Cr-pyrope
gamet. The amphibole occurs as very fine-gnined (cc 1 mm) euhedral to anhedral
grains, green-brown in colour, within mal1 "clots" of metasomatic minerals. Many
amphibole grains have vedcular inclusions of chromite oriented along cleavage planes
(Plates I and 2).
Chromite occm as three different textural types:
L) Primary chromite grains preserved either as inclusions in gamet and olivine, or as
large grains such as those in sample 13-97-83 (Plate 4). The chmites are relatively
large (1 - 3 mm), subrounded and completely encapsulated within the host silicate
phase where occurring as inclusions in gamet and olivine (chromite texhual type
Phb 6: Gamet harzbuigite 13-97-78. OIaIopymxene (Opx) is aknost cornpletely a b r d to wrpentine. The corn d the octhopyroxene grain is unakmd.- F i i of visw = 4mm.
PW, 6: Oam hrnburgib l3-QW8. (Ont) ir prrtiaI@ ispleced by dinopyroxme (Cpw) onlw Thme am thrue unil c h m l indudom in the di~lpy~oxene, and one in the gund Olivine - Oliv. Fdd of vhw = 4mm.
2) As secondary grains in veins and cracks in gamet and olivine. Secondary chmmites
are small(5 1 mm diameter) coarse euhedral octahedra set in the fine-grained
alterations matenal filling cracks and veins in gamets (chromite textural type ''2" - Plate 2).
3) As small vermicular inclusions in amphibole and phlogopite replacing gamet (Plate
1). The inclusions are very small (cc 1 mm diameter) and follow cleavage planes in
the phlogopite and amphibole. Included in this textual group are four small rounded
chromite inclusions in gamet and clinopyroxene in sample 13-97-78 (chromite
textural type '3" - Plate 6).
Clinopyroxene partiaily replaces gamet in several gamet - olivine pairs and in g m e t
hanburgite sample 13-97-78 (Plate 6). The clinopyroxene is bright green in hand
sample. It is optically continuous around the nm of the gamet. and has embayed contacts
wi th the replaced gamet. The clinop yroxenes rarely have chromite inclusions, however
sample 13-79-78 has clinopyroxene with three srnall chromite inclusions (Plates 3.4
and 6).
x Y x x
x x x x
x
x x x x
x x x x
R x
Y % X X X
CHAPTER 3: MINERAL CHEMISTRY
3.1 Introduction
Multiphase xenoliths of m a d e material preserve the chemical state of the mantle
prevaient at the t h e of bber l i t e eruption. Chernical analyses of equilibrium
assemblages in xenoliths may be used to detennine the pressure and temperature of rock
formation. Pressure-temperature pairs may be equated to depth, allowing for
characterization of vertical chemical variations in the mantle.
In addition to ultramafic xenoliths, kimberlites contain abundant xenocrysts, which
are single minerai grains h m disaggregated mantle rocks. These dense mantle rninerals
are routinely removed h m crushed kimberlite during bulk ore analysis using dense-
media separation. Xenocrysts nmoved nom kimberlite are refened to as "heavy mineral
separates". Heavy mineral separate analyses rnay be used to compliment and augment
xenolith data,
Mineral chemical results for xenoliths rexovered h m Attawapiskat core, and heavy
mineral separates h m pipes "Al", "G" and "V" are Iisted in Appendix B.
3.2 Detaiïed Minerai Chemistry
3.2.1 Heavy Minerai Separates
Sm& spîits of heavy mineral separates of crwhed Limbedite h m pipes "Al", "G"
and 'Tl" were picked for aii grains of gamet, and pipe TV" concentrate for chmite, and
green climpyroxene (chrome diopside). The number of grains analyzed fkom each split
(n = nurnber of pains) is indicated on the figures accompanying each section.
3.2.1.1 Gamet
Gamets were picked h m the heavy mineral separates and pwled, then small splits
pomd out into a sepiuate container before mounting, to avoid biased picking of one
colour of garnet over another. This method of grain selection allows for a statistically
sound representation of the various types present, and was done for pipes "Al", " G and
'V1.
Figures 3-1,3-2 and 3-3 shows variation in Ca0 with Cr203 for gamets fiom
heavy mineral separates. Guniey (1984) showed that 85% of gamet diarnond inclusions
have compositions that fa11 above 2 wt% Cr@3 in the Cao-poor portion of the Ca0 -
Cr203 plot area. Although the 85% field does not delimit a particular gamet paragenesis,
Fipke et al. (1995) observed that the line appmximately divides gamets of harzburgite
(low-Ca) and lhenolite (higher-Ca) parageneses. Ca0 and Cr203 contents of gamets
may therefore be used to determine the identity of the parnit rock, particularly in cases
when no other primary minerais are preserved, or for single gamet xenocrysts. This
method of discrunination has b a n used for many of the gamet - olivine pain recovered
h m the Attawapiskat kimberlites.
Gamets which have >2 wt!? Cr203 (peridotitic) have 3.6 - 10.6 wt% Cao. Cr203
contents range to 9.05 wt%, 10.0 Wto! and 8.6 wt% for pipes "Al", "G" and "V",
respectively. Mg# (mol % M@(Mg+Fe) x 100%) for the peridotite gamets ranges from
"Al " Gamet Discrimination
Figure 3-1 : Gamet disrrimination based on Ca0 and Cr203 content, for gamets from pipe "A 1 " concentrate. Fields based on Gumey (1 984).
"G" Garnet Discrimination
Figure 3-2: Gamet discrimination based on Ca0 and Cr& content, for gamets fiom pipe "G" concentrate. Fields as in Figure 3-1.
ggV'' Garnet Discrimination
Figure 3-3: Gamet discrimination based on Ca and CrD3 content, for gamets fiom pipe 'Y" concentrate. Fields as in Figure 3-1.
75 - 83 for al1 three pipes. The majority of the peridotite gamets are herzolitic (Figures
3-1.3-2. and 3-3).
Eclogite gamets are differentiated b m those of pendotitic paragenesis by Mg0
and Crfi content. Worldwide, eclogite gamets usually contain 50.49 wt% Cr203, but in
some cases may contain up to 7.2 wt% Cr203 (Dawson and Carswell, 1990). Low-Cr203
gamets with high Mg0 contents may be considered iherzolitic (Dawson and Carswell,
1990). A cutoff of maximum 2 wt% Cr203 is used to identify eclogite gamet xenocrysts
fiom concentrate Ui Figures 3-1,3-2 and 3-3. This arbitiary cutoff is favoured by Fipke
et al. (1 995) for prospecting simples (heavy minerals separates @om glacial deposits used
in drift prospecting for kimberlites), and is used here to distinguish gamets of lherzolite
and harzburgite paragenesis h m those of megacryst and eclogite paragenesis.
Many Cr-poor megacrysts have Cr203 contents which coincide with the eclogite and
pendotite fields in Figures 3-1,3-2 and 3-3. Megacryst gamets may be differentiated
h m peridotite gamets by Ti02 content (Schulze, 1997 - Figures 3-4 and 3-5).
Discrimination between megacryst and eclogitic gamets may be aided by TiOz contents,
but the division is unclear. Eclogite gamets worldwide have < 0.3 wt% Ti02 (Dawson
and Carswell, 1990). The Cr-poor megacryst garnets at Attawapiskat have very low Ti02
contents (Schulze, personal communication), so discrimination between the two suites
was Iunited. Gamets h m the Attawapiskat concentrates with c 2 wt% Cr203 and > 0.2
wt% Ti02 were classifiecl as a Cr-poor megacrysts. The remahhg garnets (< 2 wt%
Cr203 and 2 wt?? Ti&) may be eclogitic, cmtal, or very low T i 4 rnegacrysts.
Gamets h m both eclogite and mutai rocks (gamet-bearing amphibolite country rocks)
have low Cr203 contents that fd dong the C r - p r axis in Figures 3-l,3-2 and 3-3.
Attawapiskat Gamet Megacrysts
wm C r A
A l Megacryst Discrimination
Figure 34: a) Attawapiskat pipe "Aln megacryst compositions plotted as Cr203 vs Ti4. Attawapiskat megacrysts have lower TiO, values than the field for worldwide megacrysts from Schulze (1997). b) Gamets from &A1 " concentrate (purple cides), with Attawapiskat megauysts plotted for cornparison (yellow triangles). The field for megacrysts has been lowered to 0 2 Wh T i 4 to accommodate the IOIN-Ti02 megacrysts at Attawapiskat. Attawapiskat megacryst data - Schuize (personal communication).
V1 Megacryst Dkcrimination
w(3C Cr203
G1 Megacryst Discrimination
Figure 34: Cr203 vs T i 4 for gamets from conœntrate from a) pipe 'G' and b) pipe 'W. Fields for discrimination between lhendite and megacryst gamets are from Schuize (1 997). See text, and Figure 3-4, for discussion.
Crustal-Eclogite Discrimination Gamets from Concentrate
AAl O G1 cl V I
Figure 3 4 : Variation in TiOz content with Fe0 (calculated as ~ e ~ ' ) for low- Cr& gamets fiom pipes "Al", "G" and 'Y". Fields for eclogite and crustd gamets ffom Schulze (1 997). A region of overlap between the cnistal and eclogite fields extends fbm - 18.0-23.0 wt% FeO. Open symbols - eclogite; Black synrbols - mstal; Grey symbols - paragenesis undetermined using this discrimination.
Eclogite Garnet Composition
/ /
/ /
/
/' /' Diarnond Eclogite
1 Gamets /
/ /
1 4 I
AnAl " O "G" O "V"
Figure 3-7: Eclogite gamet composition. Gamets occunhg as inclusions in diamond have different compositions to gamets fiom diarnond-bearllig eclogites (dashed and dotted fields, respectively). Attawapiskat eclogite gamets fali just inside the field of gamets fiom diamond-bearing eclogites worldwide. Fields firom Fipke et al. (1995).
Discrimination between eclogite and crustal gamets may be aided by variation in Ti02
and Fe0 contents (Schuize, 1997 - Figure 3-6). The heavy minerai concentrates
contained very few crustally-det.ived gamets. The narrow range of Feû content for the
Attawapiskat anaiyses in the eclogite field is inconsistent with the range of values in
eclogite gamets h m Schuke (1997). The cluster of Fe0 values may imply that these
gamets are not eclogitic. Eclogite gamet xenocrysts have compositions which
correspond to those h m diamond-bea~g eclogites worldwide (Fipke et al., 1995 -
Figure 3-7). Further classification of these gamets is not possible.
3.2.1.2 CIinopyraxene
Bright-green Cr-diopsides fiom "V" heavy mineral concentrate have 0.24 - 2.6
wt% Cr203. They are Mg- and Ca-rich (14.7 - 17.6 wt% MgO, 14.1 - 23.1 wt% Cao),
and Fe-poor (1.5 - 4.7 wt% FeO, al1 Fe calculated as ~ e ~ + ) . Bright green Cr-diopsides
are typical of iheno lite and gamet-lherzolite rocks, whereas diopsides nom high-
temperature sheared herzoîites and eclogites are typically pale green.
The enstatite-diopside solvus has been developed as a geothermometer by several
authors (see Finnerty and Boyci, (1987) for review). Equilibrium temperatures calculated
for gamet lhenolites h m worldwide Iocalities usuig various enstatite-diopside solvus
thennometers o h have two "groups", one at Iow temperature and one at high-
temperature, with a "gap" in between (Harte, 1983). The gap in temperature is related to
Ca-Mg-Fe contents of the clinopyroxeaes. Harte (1983) notes that the gap between the
corresponds to Ca/(Ca+Mg) values of - 0.43 (- 1 100 OC). A pW of Ca/(Ca+Mg) venus
wt!!! Fe0 for the Attawapiskat V" clinoppxenes reveais there is no gap in the
Clinopyroxenes from "\Pm
Figure 34: Clinopyroxenes h m pipe "Cr' concentrate. Clinopyroxene xenocryst compositions are more ferroan than those clinopyroxenes fiom coarse and sheared k o l i t e s fiom Lesotho. Lesotho Data nom Boyd (1 973), Cox et al. (1973) and Nixon and Boyd (1973).
'II" Clinopyroxenes
Figure 3-9: Variation in Cf2@ content with Mg# (Mgl(Mg+Fe)), for clinopyroxenes from 'Y" concentrate. Fields fkom Kopylova et al., (1999) for clinopyroxenes in xenoliths nom Jerkho, Northwest Temtories, Canada: dashed - spinel-gamet coarse-textured petidotite; dotted - gamet-bearhg corne-textured peridotite. o - Kirkland Lake clinopymxenes fkom corne gamet lhenolites (&ta from Sage, 1996, and Vicker, 1997).
Ca/(Ca+Mg) values (Figure 3-8). The "V" clinopyroxenes are particularly FeO-rich
compared to those clinopyroxenes h m coarse or sheared Lesotho ihenolites (Boyd,
1973; Cox et al., 1973; Nixon and Boyd, 1973).
Variation in Cr203 with Mg# for clinopyroxenes is compared with fields for
clinop yroxenes h m coarse spinel-gamet lherzolite and corne gamet lherzolite fiom
Jericho, Northwest Temtones (Kopylova et ai., 1999). and for corne gamet Uierzoiite
fiom Kirkland Lake, Ontario (Vicker, 1997) in Figure 3-9.
3.2.1.3 Orthopyoxene
Ten green orthopyroxene grains wen randomly picked as green Cr-diopside corn
the "V" concentrate. These enstatites (En90.7.93.6) have Cr203 contents ranging nom 0.20-
0.41 wt% Crfi and TiOI h m 0.45 - 1.1 wt% T i 9 (Figure 3-10a). MgWs fa11 in the
restricted range 9 1.8 - 94.2. Compositions of the 10 Attawapiskat orthopyroxenes fa11
within the enstatite diamond inclusion field of Fipke et al. (1 995 - Figure 3-lob), as do
orthopyroxenes h m many made peridotites. Compositions are similar to
orthopyroxenes Erom worldwide sources (Nixon, 1987).
3.2.1.4 Chromite
The Cr203 contents of 77 sphels fkom pipe "V" concentrate range fiom 47.1 -
63.8 wt% Cr203, with 18.9 - 40.4 wt% Fe0 (caiculated as totai Fe), and 7.0 - 12.0 wt%
MgO. Variation in Cr/(Cr+Ai) with F~*+/(F~~++M~) shows that chmi t e compositions
f d in the field of lhazolite and harzbrgite chmmites dehed by Haggerty (1995 - Figue 3-1 1). The extensive overiap m the Ihpnolite-harzburgite field and diamond
V1 Orthopyroxenes
V1 Orthopyroxenes
Dlniond Indusbn Fkld of Wpke et ai. (1Q95)
Figure 3-10: Orthopyroxenes in xenoliths. a) Variation in W h TiO, with wt% Ct203. b) Mg# (mol% Mg/(Mg+Fe) x 100%) vs wt!!! AI,O,. Orthopyroxene compositions fall within the field of diamond indusions of Fipke et al. (1995).
"V" Chromites
1.2 Diamond inclusions
Lherzolite and Me tasoma tic Harzburgite
shift
Figure 3-1 1: Compositions of chromites from 'Tl" concentrate, with fields fiom Haggerty (1 995) superimposed. The chromites fiom concentrate fa11 within the region of overlap between the Ihenolite-harzbwgite and diamond inclusion fields. The same chromite compositions plotted as wt% Mg0 vs wt% Cr& in Figure 3-12 fd weU outside of the diamond inclusions field of Fipke et al. (1 995). The significance of the Haggerty (1995) diamond inclusion field is uncertain.
"V" Chromites
Figure 3-12: Pipe 'V" chromite compositions compared to those fiom Kïrkland Lake (dotted) and Iie Bizard (dashed) fields. The V" chmites have a negative MgO-Cr203 trend compared to the two other Canadian localities. The 'V' chromite compositions fall well outside the field of diamond inclusions defined by Fipke et al. (1995). Data for KUkland Lake and 11e Bizard fiom Fipke et al. (1995).
"V" Chromites
Figure 3-13: Variation in wt% TiOs with wt% CrD3 for 'V' chrornites. Compositions decrease in TiOs with increasing Cr&
inclusion field of Haggerty (1995) is uuexplained. Figure 3-12, a plot of Mg0 vs
contents for the same chromites, shows they fall well outside of the field for chromites as
diamond inclusions d e b e d by Fipke et al. (1995). The Fipke et al. (1995) discriminant
is more ngorous than that of Haggerty (1995). Chromites nom 'V' concentrate have a
positive Cr-Mg-enrichment trend compared to chromites fiom Kirkland Lake, Ontario,
and ne Bizard, Quebec (Fipke et ai., 1995 - Figure 3-1 2).
The "V" chromites h m concentrate show a weak negative trend on a plot of
Cr203 versus TiOz (Figure 3-13). Chromites with < 2 wt% Ti02 have sirnilar
compositions to chromites in the Attawapiskat xenoliths (see section 3.3.2.3)
3.2.2 Xenoliths: Primary and Metasomatic/Secondary Assemblages
In addition to the four primary silicate phases in peridotites (herzolite - olivine +
clinopyroxene + orthopyroxene gamet, hanburgite - olivine + orthopyroxene
gamet), the majority of the xenoliths have metasomatic assemblages of phlogopite +
amphibole * c h m i t e and fine-grained alteration material, or clinopyroxene only, as well
as secondary niinerals such as serpentine. When present, orthopyroxene is heavily
altered to secondary serpentine. Only clear, unaltered orthopyroxene cores wen
analyzed.
3.2.2. I Pn'mary Minwals: Olivine
Olivines h m Lhenolites and hanburgïtes are Mg-rich, with Mg#'s ranghg h m
90.1 - 92.7 (FmJsrs). These values are slightly lowet than those for olivines b m
southan Afnca xenoliths (KimberIey iherzolites (coarse and sheared) and batzbwgites,
Figun 3-14: Chernical trends in olivines h m xenoliths. All of the olivines are MgO-rich, and depleted in Cao, FeO, Na20, and CrA.
45
Mg#'s91- 94 (Boyd and Nixon, 1978); Kimberley harzburgites, Mg#'s 93 - 95 (Schulze
1995); Fiasch, average Mg# 92.9, (Shee et al., 1992); Northern Lesotho, Mg#'s 91 - 94
(Nixon and Boyd, 1973)). Attawapiskat olivine MgWs are shilar to those nom other
Canadian localities (Jericho, Slave Province, Northwest Tenitones, MgWs 8 8 .O - 93 .O
(Kopylova et al., 1999); Grizzly and Tome, Slave Province, Northwest Temtories,
Mg#% 90.6 - 93.8 (MaciCemie and Canil, 1999); Kirkiand Lake, Ontario, Mg#% 85.0 -
93.3 (most > go), (Vicker, 1997)). Olivine in contact with amphibole in gamet
hanburgite 13-97-78 has grain rims slightly depletcd in MgO, Ca0 and Cr203, and
enriched in FeO, compared to its core composition.
3.2.2.2 Gamet
Gamets in xenoliths are markedly depleted in Ca0 compareci to gamet xenocrysts
h m concentrate (gamets h m heavy minerai separates h m pipes "Al", "G" and "V"
are dominantiy lherzolitic - see section 3.1). Six xenoliths may be classified as
harzburgite based on Ca0 and Cr& content of gamet (Dawson, 1980 - Figure 3-15).
Sample 13-95-59 plots to the low-Ca0 side of the 85% line in Figure 3-1 5, at - 2 wt%
Cr203. Altbough this gamet analysis fans within the eclogite field in Figure 3-15, the
xenoiith contains olivine, so it is ia fact a Cr-poor hanburgite hgment. Al1 xenoliths
containhg gamet with > 2 wt% Cr203 are classified as either ihenolitic or harzburgitic.
Mg#'$ for the lherzoiite and hanburgite gamets range h m 80.2 - 86.5.
Three xenoliths containhg orange gamet were analyzed and their compositions
fa11 in the eclogite field in Figm 3-15. Paragrnesis (either cnistal or eclogitic) was
detenaineci using Ti& and Fe0 contents of the gamets. Two of the xenoîitbs (13-95-42
Garnets in Xenoliths
Harzburgite Lhenolite
Figure 3-15: Gamet discrimination based on Ca0 and Crz03 contents of gamets in xenoliths. Fields as in Figure 3- 1.
Eclogite-Crustal Garnet Discrimination
Eclogite
Figure 3-16: Eclogite/cnistal gamet discrimination for gamets that plot in the eclogite field in Figure 3-15. Sarnples 13-95-54 and 13-95-32 are eclogites; sarnple 13-95-28 falls in the region of overlap between the two fields. This sample contains amphiiole and phlogopite, and is probably c~stally denved - see text for discussion. Eclogite and crusta1 fields after Schdze (1997).
and 13-95-54, both pipe "G"') contain bright gcem diopside. Gamet compositions for
these two samples fdi within the field of eclogite gamets defineci by Schulze (1997)
bascd on theh Ti& and Fe0 contents (Figure 3-16). The third xenolith (13-95-28, pipe
"G"), contains bright green amphibole and large flakes of green-brown phlogopite. The
composition of the gamet in xenolith 13-95-28 f d s in a region of overlap between the
edogite and mistai tields in Figure 3-16. The high Feû content of the gamet and the
presence of amphibole and phlogopite suggest this sample is of crustal origin, so it will
not be discussed M e r . Mg#'s for the eclogite gamets are 84.0 (13-95-32) and 67.7
(1 3-95-54).
Three gamets are compositionally zoned. Samples 13-97-83 (pipe "Al"),
13-102-05 and 13- 102-1 2 (both pipe 'X'), have decreasing Cr2q and Ca0 h m core to
rim. Sarnples 13-97-83 and 13-102-12 contain other gamet grains that do not have
chernical zoning.
3.2.2.3 Clinopyroxene
Two xenoliths (13-102-05 and 13-102-12, both pipe "X3 contain one
clinopyroxene grain each. Both grains are Cr-diopsides, and have compositions
correspondhg to ciinopyroxenes h m coarse gamet lhenolites worldwide (Harte, 1983;
Meyer, 1987; Nixon, 1987; Haggerty, 1995). No compositional zoning was noted. The
two xenoiiths do not contain orthopyroxene, so thennobarometne calculations were not
possible.
3.2.2.4 Orthopyroxene
Orthopyroxene grains are Mg-rich (En91.343.1)r but have higher Fe0 contents thaa
the 10 green orthopyroxene grains recovered from pipe "V" concentrate (Figure 3-17).
The orthopyroxene compositions fom two smalî "clusters", one with Mg# -92, the other
with Mg# -93.0 - 93.5 (Figure 3-17). The two orthopyroxenes with Mg# -92 are nom
gamet harzburgite hgments 13-95-35 (pipe "G'3 and 13-97-78 (pipe "Al"). The three
orthopyroxenes with Mg#% between 93 .O and 93.5 are h m gamet iherzolites 1 3-95-33
(pipe "G") and 13-97-83 (pipe bbAl"). and gamet harzburgite 13-95-67 (pipe "G').
Orthopyroxenes from both herzolite and hanburgite samples fa11 within the field of
orthopyroxene diamond inclusions defined by Fipke et ai. (1995).
Some of the orthopyroxene grain cores appear to have very slight e ~ c h m e n t in
Cr203 and Ti02 where they are in direct contact with secondary serpentine replacing the
grain rim. No change in A203 content at the contact between the fiesh orthopyroxene
core and serpentinized rim that could a i t geobarornetric calculations was observed.
3.2.3 Metasomatic Minerals
Metasomatic amphibole and phlogopite, with or without associated chrornite.
partially or wholly replace gamet in the majority of the xewliths recovered fiom
Attawapiskat kimberlite. Metasomatic clinopyroxene partiaiiy replaces gamet in some
gamet - olivine pairs.
Orthopyroxene in Xenoliths
Figure 3-17: Orthopyroxene compositions fiom coarse peridotite xenoliths. Two "groups" of orthopyroxene occur, one with Mg# -92 (gamet harzburgites 13-95-35 and 13-97-78), the other with Mg# 93.0-93.5 (gamet Iherzolites 13- 95-3 3 and 13 -97-83, and gamet hanburgite 13 -95-67). Orthopyroxene compositions fa11 within the field of diarnond uiclusions of Fipke et al. (1995).
3.2.3.1 Amphibole
Amphibole replacing gamet in siunple 13-95-49 has high M203 and Ca0 contents
(13.2 wt% A1203 and 10.0 wt% Cao), and moderate to high Mg0 and Fe0 conteats (18.4
wt% Mg0 and 3.4 wt% FeO). The amphibole may be classified as a pargasite (Leake et
al., L997). The pargasite has high chrome content (2.2 wt% Cr203).
3.2.3.2 Phlogopite
Phlogopites have 0.42. L wt% Cr203 and up to 1.1 wt% Ti02. Tot& for
microprobe analysis are somewhat lower than expected for phlogopites containhg -4 - 5
wt% H20. The phlogopite grains in xenoliths fiom Attawapiskat are heavily altered, and
so yield low oxide totals during electron microprobe anaiysis (Appendix B). The
phlogopite grains are poor in the volatile elements Cl and F (up to 0.15 wt% CI and 0.4
wt% F). Phlogopite grains occurring with amphibole î chromite to replace gamet have
slightly elevated Mg0 and Na20 contents, and lower Cr203 contents, compared to the
fine-grained phlogo pites filling veins and hctures.
Figure 3-18 depicts phlogopite compositions in tecms of T i 9 and Cr203. The
fields in Figure 3-18 are h m Erlank et al. (1987) and Field et al. (1989), who correlate
texture and accompanying metasomatic assemblage to phlogopite composition. "Stage
A" and "Stage B" phlogopites are of metasomatic origin; 'Stage A" phlogopites occur
with amphibole, "Stage B" with clinopymxene (Erlanlc et al., 1987; Field et al., 1989).
Sccondary phlogopites are the result of host-mck reaction with a volatile-rich fluid during
kirnberiite auption (Erlank et al., 1987; Field et al., 1989).
Phlogopite in Xenoliths
Figure 3-18: Fields of phlogopite compositions fiom upper made sources (after Field et al., 1987): dotted - Stage A (paragenetically early, CO-existing with arnphiiole); dashed - Stage B (pmgenetically Iate, CO-existing with diopside); solid - Secondary (due to late-stage metasomatism in the source region). Symbols: red - texturd type "1" (fuie-graioed mantles on gamet); yellow - texturd type "2" (vem filling); green - texturai type "3" (metasomatically replacing gamet, with or without chromite inclusions). Fields for Stage A, Stage B and Secondary phlogopites based on Erlarik et al. (1987), Field et al. (1987) and Haggerty (1995).
Phlogopites occurring with amphihole * chromite to replace gamet in the
Attawapiskat xenoliths fail withh or near the "Stage A" field of Erlank et al. (1987) and
Field et al. (1989 - Figure 3-18). Two of these phlogopites have low TiOl contents
(0.032 and O.Owt% Ti02, which is below minimum detection for the microprobe
analyses), and f d near the "Stage A" field. Phlogopite o c c u r ~ g as texturai types '2"
and "3" (as mautles on gamets and as veh-tilling materiai, respectively) have higher
Cr203 contents than texhual type " 1" phlogopites.
Compositions of texhiral type '2" and "3" phlogopites fdl in the "Secondary" and
"Stage B" fields in Figure 3-18. None of these phlogopites occur in association with the
metasomatic clinopyroxene (see below), so they may be classified as "Secondary" based
on Erlank et al. (1987) and Field et al. (1989).
3.2.3.3 Clinopyroxene
Metasomatic clinopyroxenes are Cr-tich (2.7 - 5.0 wt% CrD3), Ca-rich (14.3 -
16.9 wt% Cao), and Fe-rich (2.6 - 4 4 wt% FeO) compared to primary clinopyroxenes
h m Lesotho corne-lhenolites (Figure 3-19). The metasomatic clinopyroxenes have
particularly high Na20 contents compared to primary clinopyroxenes from Lesotho
ihmolites (Boyd, 1973; Cox et al., 1973; Nixon and Boyd, 1973). Compositions are
similar to those of cihopyroxenes recovered h m "V" concentrate (Figure 3-1 8).
3.2.3.4 Chromite
Chromite compositions have been correlateci with the thne textuial types of
chromite occurring in xenoliths as descnied in Chapter 2.
Metasomatic Clinopyroxene
Figure 3-19: Metasomatic clinopyroxene compositions (red squares) compared to clinopyroxenes from V" concentrate (green circles). Clinopyroxenes replacing gamet in cognate xenoliths have similar Mg/(Mg+Fe) and Ca/(Ca+Mg) values to those occurrùig as xenocrysts in the kimberIite. The close compositional correlation between the two groups suggests most of the clinopyroxene xenocrysts may be of metasomatic origin.
n 0.50 - œ
0.45 - + O 0.40 -
8 0.35 -
*
0.30 -
0.25
Lesotho coarse
d
J ' i d * ' ~ ê ~ ~ t h ~ sheareâ
1 1 1 r I r I
A plot of Cr203 vs Ti& content of the Attawapiskat chromites reveals differences
in chemistry based on texaual occumnce (Figure 3-20). Al1 chromites have 0.0 - 2.2
wt% Ti@ and 40.1 - 576.7 wt% Cr203. The prirnary texture chmites have
compositions which overlap secondary texture chromites (Figure 3-20).
With the exception of thne outlien, secondary chromites have >0.6 wt% Ti02
(Figure 3-20). Two of the outlien have 0.02 and 0.01 wt% TiOl (at minimum detection
for microprobe analyses). The third outlier has low Cr203 content (40.2 wt% Cr203) but
similar Ti@ content to the other secondary chromites. The low Ti02 chromites are fiom
sample 13-95-67 ('pipe "G"), and occur as mal1 grains in veins in gamet. The low Cr203
secondary-texture chromite occurs as a small grain between an inclusion of carbonaceous
material in a gamet and the gamet itself (sample 13- 102-05, pipe "X3.
Chmites occurring as vennicular inclusions in amphibole and phlogopite have
very low Ti@ contents compared to the secondary-textwed chromites (Figure 3-20).
Sample 13-97-78 has metasomatic clinop yroxene replacing gamet. The
clinopyroxene has three mal1 chromite inclusions, and the garnet it is partially replacing
has one chromite inclusion (Plate 6). These inclusions have much higher Ti02 contents
than the vexmicuiar chromite inclusions. The chromite in the gamet in sample 13-97-78
bas 41.6 wt% C r A , whereas the chromite inclusions in the clinopyroxene replacing the
gamet have 54.5 wt% Cr203 (Figure 3-20).
AU of the chromites analyzed fa outside of the field for chmites occuning as
inclusions in diamoad as defincd by Fipke et al. (1995 - Figure 3-21). Chromites in
xenoliths h m Attawapiskat have a negative Cr201 - Mg0 trend compared to chromites
fiom Attawapiskat pipe "V" concentrate (Figure 3-21).
Chromites in Xenoliths
primary A secondary
vermicular 0 1 3-97-78
Figure 3-20: Compositions of chromites in xenoliths. Syrnbols: red - textural type "1" (primary); yellow - textural type 'Y" (secondary); green - textwal type "3" (vermicular inclusions in amphitbole and phlogopite); filled blue - inclusions in chopyroxene replacing gamet in gamet harzburgite 13-97-78; open blue - inclusion in gamet partially replaced by clinopYoxene in gamet h&burgite 13-97-78.
Chromites in Xenoliths
IV' chromites
Kirkland ~ake-'--,,)
Figure 331: Chromites in xenoliths. Compositions fall well outside of the field of diamond inclusions fiom Fipke et al., (1 995). Attawapiskat chrornites have a negative trend similar to ne Bizzard, Quebec and Kirkland Lake, Ontario, but opposite the trend displayed by chromites fiom 'V" concentrate. Kirkland Lake and IIe Bizard data - Fipke et al. (1995). Symbols: red - texturd type "1" (primary); yellow - texturd type 'Y" (secondary); green - textural type "3" (vermicular inclusions in amphi'boIe and phlogopite); filled blue - inclusions in clinopyroxene replacing gamet in gamet harzburgite 13-97-78; open blue - inclusion in gamet partially replaced by clinopyroxene in gamet harzburgite 13-97-78.
1 Diamond inclusions
Lherzolite and A Metasomatic Harzburgite
sha
Figure 3-22: Chrornites in xenoliths compared to chromites fiom ''V" concentrate Chromite compositions fa11 towards the Cr/(Cr+Al) axis. Symbols: red - texturd type "1" (primary); yellow - textural type "2" (secondary); green - textural type "3" (vennicular inclusions in amphibole and phlogopite); jllled blue - inclusions in clinopyroxene replacing gamet in gamet harzburgite 13-97-78; open blue - inclusion in gamet partially replaced by clinopyroxene in gamet harzbwgite 13-97-78. Fields Srom Haggerty (1995).
Chromite compositions f a outside of ail of the fields for mantle cbromites as
denaad by Haggerty (1995 - Figure 3-22) - one secondary-texhite chmite falls within
the îherzolite-harzburgite and diamond inclusion overlap area. Haggerty (1995) notes
that chrotnites of metasomatic ongh should f d towards the Cr/(Cr+Al) axis in Figure
3-22. Attawapiskat chromite compositions are consistent 6 t h this observation.
CHAPTER 4: THERMOBAROMETRY
4.1 Introduction
Thennobarometric investigations of mantle xenoiith suites place mineral chernistries
within a three-dimensional ~ e w o r k that may ultimateiy mveal local vertical made
inhomogeneities. Equiiiirium pressures and temperatures of mantie assemblages may be
estimated using a variety of experirnentally calibrated geothermometers and
geobarometers (Finnerty and Boyd. 1987). Estimated equilibnum pressures and
temperatures of mantie xenoiiths rnay be used to constrain the local subcratonic
geothermal gradient at the t h e of kimberlite eruption. Pressure - temperature values
have been calculated for the made assemblages at Attawapiskat and have been used to
constrain the geothermai gradient below the eastem Sachigo subprovince in the Jurassic.
4.1.1 Geothermometers and Barometers
A variety of thennometers and barometers have b e n calibrated for mantle
assemblages by various authors (reviewed in Finnerty and Boyd, 1987). The
thennometers and barometers utilize the experirnentally calibrated pressure or
temperature dependent molecular or major element exchange berneen two coexisting
phases. The majority of thennometers for the temperature range of the upper mantle are
based on the experirnentaliy determineci position of the diopsideenstatite miscibility gap
(Finnerty and Boyd, 1987). Equilibnum temperatures for gamet-olivine pairs may be
detennined using the temperature dependant Fe-Mg exchange thamorneter of O'Neill
and W d (1979). Estimateâ temperattues of quilibration of gamet xenocrysts (single
gamets for which paragenesis is uncertain) rnay be calculated using the Ni-in-gamet
thermometer of Canil(1999) (assumllig quilibration with olivine).
Geobarometers for the pressure range of gamet-bearing made assemblages in
kimbertites are al1 based on the pressdependant alumina content of enstatite
coexisthg with olivine plus an gamet, calibrated in either the CMAS (Ca-Mg-Al-Si)
system or MAS system (Fherty aad Boyd, 1987). The coexistlig a i d o u s phase for
the pressun range defined by the Attawapiskat xenoliths is pyrope gamet (MacGregor,
1974).
Equilibrium P-T pairs may only be calculated for gamet-bearing assemblages using
the thennometers and barometers above. Equilibrium temperatures rnay be calculated for
reasonably presumed pressures in orthopyroxene or gamet-fiee assemblages using either
the O'Neill and Wood (1979) thennometer or a two-pyroxene thermometer (Finnerty and
Boyd, 1987).
A critical evaluation of various geoihermometers and barometers by Finnerty and
Boyd (1987) favoured the combination of the pyroxene-mi*scibility gap thermometer of
Lindsley and Dixon (1976) and the alumina-in-enstatite + gamet barometer of
MacGregor (1974) for P-T estimates for gamet Uienolites. Hanburgite P-T estimates
may be calcuiated using the garnetslivine exchange thermometer of O'Neill and Wood
(1979) coupled with the MacGregor (1974) barometer.
4.1.2 Requued Conditions for Equilibrium Pressure - Temperature Estimations
Estimates of pressura and temperatures for m a d e xenoliths may be calculateà only
for those assemblages in chemical eqdibdum (Fiaaerty and Boyd, 1987). Whereas it is
not possible to demonstnite equilibrium has been attained, it is possible to provide
evidence that certain conditions of equilî%num are met by a given mineral assemblage.
Minerai homogeneity is an observation that is consistent with cbemical equilibrium
(Finnerty and Boyd, 1987). Zonation in mantle assemblages is usually manifest as a
süght change in minor elements such as Ti02 or Cr203 fiOm COR to Nn (Smith and
Boyd, 1992). Most made minerals are homogeneous in theù MgO, Fe0 and Ca0
contents, which are the elemeats used in temperature and pressure caiculations (Fi~erty
and Boyd, 1987). Heterogeneous distniution of Mg, Fe and Ca is usually restricted to
the rims of minerai grains in metasomatized pendotites (F i~er ty and Boyd, 1987).
These authors argued that the significance of pressures and temperatures calculated using
heterogeneous mineral analyses are uncertain.
The presence of metasomatic minerals impiies that an assemblage was not at
equiliirium pnor to kimberlite eniption. Most metasomatism is late-stage, just prior to or
nlated to kimberiite eruption, so the chernical compositions of the cons of the primary
minerals may record the equilibrium temperature and pressun pnor to the metasomatic
event (Erlank et al., 1987). As such, the results of P-T calculations using analyses of the
cons of minerais in metasomatized peridotites may represent the equilibrium conditions
prevdent immediately before kimberlîte eruption.
4.1.3 The Attawapiskat Mantle Xenolith Suite
The mantie sample at Attawapiskat does not readily lend itself to pressure-
temperature calcuiations. Most of the xenoliths are gamet-olivine pairs, so although
equilibrium temperatures have been calcuiated, absolute pressure determinations were not
possible. Orthop ymxene graias in most harzburgite fragments are completely alteteci to
serpentine. In only a few xenoliths is fiesh orthopyroxene presenred.
Although mantle stratigraphy may be evaluated by relatiag P-T results to rock type,
gamet - olivine pairs cmot be classined into rock types based on modal mineralogy so
should not conhibute to a three-dimensional moâel. For the gamet - olivine pairs, rock
type classification was doue using Ca0 and Cr203 contents of the gamets (see Figure 3-
15, and Chapter 5 for discussion). Although this method of classification is not as
rigorous as that based on modal mineraiogy, it does mean that temperahues for gamet -
olivine pairs can be related to rock type and used to augment the stratigraphie relations
between rock types at depth as determined by the xenoliths.
Analysis of clear, homogeneous grain cores were used for the pressure and
temperature calculations for Attawapiskat xenoliths. Temperatures were calculated ushg
the O'Neill and Wood (1979) gamet - olivine Fe-Mg exchange themorneter. Pressures
for orthopyroxene-bearing assemblages were calculated using the MacGregor (1 974)
alunina-insrthopyroxene coexisting with gamet barorneter. Gi for 14 gamets fiom
pipe "V" concentrate were calculateâ using the Ni-in-gamet (assumed to bc in
equiliium with olivine) thmorneter of C d 1 (1999).
4.2 Oiivine-Gamet Thermometry, Gamet-Enstatite Baromehy
Estimated equilibrium temperatures of Attawapiskat xenoliths were calculated using
the O'Neill and Wood (1979) thennometer (with the O'NeilI (1980) correction, the
combination of which will h d e r be refened to as OW79).
Partitionhg of Fe and Mg between high-Mg olivine and coexistùig gamet may be
represented by the exchange equation;
3 Fe2Si04 + 2 Mg3AI2Si30l2 = 2 Fe3AI2Si3012 + 3 Mg2Si04 (olivine) (gamet) (samat) (olivine)
(1)
as defincd by O'Neill and Wood (1979).
The themorneter is dependant on olivine and gamet compositions, temperature
and Ca content of the gamet, with minor dependence on pressure. The equilibrium
temperature is calculated by;
where x</ is the mole hction of componmt j in phase i , P is pressure in kbar at which
the phases are in equilibrium, and T is in K (O'Neill and Wood, 1979). Ko is the
partition coefficient between olivine and gamet, given by;
where,
65 and so on for components Fe (olivine and gamet) and Ca (gamet) (O'Neill and Wood,
1979). DV is the term,
DV = 462.5 [l .O1 91 + (f - 1073)(2.87*10~)] (P - 2.63*1og4P2 - 29.76) - 262.4 [1.0292 + (f - 1073)(4.5*10~)] (P - 3.9*10~pZ - 29.65) + 454 (1 .O20 + (T- l073)(2.84*1 04$* (P - 2.36ml~4P -29.79) + 278.3 [1 .O234 + (T - 1 O73)(2.3*lO )] (P - 4.5.1 o4P - 29.6)
which is used to incorporate the pressure dependant volume change of the Fe-Mg
exchange (O'Neill and Wood, 1979). Equation (2) may be solved iteratively with a
geobarometer to arrive at a P-T pair for the assemblage. A fiat approximation of the
pressure and temperature of formation must be made and entered into eq. (2) for the fiat
iteration. The thennometer is most sensitive at high temperatures (51 300 OC), where
two-pymxene themiorneten become spurious due to the decrease in size of the pyroxene
miscibility gap (O'Neill and Wood, 1979). Pressure effects on KD lead to slight increases
in the calculated temperature, fiam 6 'Cl kbar at 10 kbar, to 3 'CI kbar at 70 kbar
(O'Neill and Wood, 1979). Emr in the calculated temperature is * 60 OC for values
between 600 O C and 1300 OC (O'Neill and Wood, 1979).
The pressure of quilibration for the Attawapiskat sarnples was estimated using
the equation derived by Finnerty and Boyd (1984) for the durnina-in-enstatite
geobarorneter of MacGregor (1974) for use in the program TEMPEST (F.R. Boyd,
personal comfliunication to D. Schulze). The equilibrium between enstatite and
coexisting olivine and gamet may be represented by the exchange reaction,
as experimentally detemüned by MacGregor (1974). Isopleths of A1203 in enstatite
projected onto P-T space may be used to detemüne the pressure of equilibration a given
temperature. Finnerty and Boyd (1984) derived an equation for calculating a MacGregor
(1974) equilibrium pressure for a known temperature for the computer program
TEMPEST. Pressure may be caiculated by,
P (kbar) =(1m46 $Aha)t~- .1 38.5
where A1203 is the weight fraction of A1203 in enstatite, and T is in K (F.R. Boyd,
personal cornniunication to D.J. Schulze).
Equation (7) may be solved iteratively with a geothermometer to arrive at a P-T
pair for the mantle assemblage. Error in eq. (7) is partially dependant on the error in the
geothermometer with which the pressure determination is coupled. Enor in eq. (7)
solveà iteratively with eq. (2) is k3.0 kbar (O'Neill and Wood, 1979).
4.3 Pressure-Temperature Results
Pressures and temperatures of equilibration were calculated for seven coarse gamet +
olivine + orthopyroxene assemblages, one chrornite + gamet + olivine + orthopyroxene
assemblage, and one deformeci garnet iherzolite. The gamet + olivine + orthopyroxene
assemblages are modally classifieâ as huzburgite. Gamet analyses for four of these
assemblages plot in the Cao-rich field in Figure 3-1 5, so they are chemicaiiy classifiai as
lhcrzoütes. Those gamet + olivine + octhopyroxene assemblages for which garnet
compositions fd to the lefi of the discRminant iine in Figure 3-15 are coasidered
harzburgites; those with gamets compositions to the right of the discriminant iine
lherzolites. Lhenolites were recovered h m pipes "Al) "G" and "V". Hmburgites
were recovered h m pipes "Al" and "G". A chromite-gamet harzburgite was recovered
from pipe "0'. The single deformed gamet lhenolite was recovered fiom pipe "Al".
Results ofT - P calculations are summarized in Table 4-1.
Calculated Toms and PMo4 indicate the gamet lhenolites equilibrated in the range
782.9 OC13 1.4 kbar to 937.4 "CI42.4 kbar. Gamet harzburgites equilibrated in the range
1036 OU47.4 kbar to 1045 OC147.9 kbar. The chrornite-gamet harzburgite has calculated
equilibrium T-P values of 68 1.7 'Cl25 kbar. The deforneci gamet lhenolite h m pipe
"G" bas calculated equilibrium temperature and pressure of 927.0 OC142.9 kbar.
Attawapiskat xenolith equilibrium pressures and temperatures fa11 dong a 40rn~rn-~
conductive subcratonic steady-state geothemd gradient in Figure 4-1 (Pollack and
Chapman, 1977). Garnet Lhenolites equilibrated at pressuns below the graphite-
diarnmd univariant curve of Kennedy and Kennedy (1976). Two of the harzburgite
samples equiiibrated within the diamond stability field, the other two within the graphite
stability field. The chromite-gamet harzburgite has equiiiirium pressure and temperature
that places it well within the graphite stability field in Figure 44. Enor in the P-T results
of * 60 O C and 3 kbar preserves the relationship between rock type and the diamond-
graphite univariant.
There is a slight "gap" in the Attawapiskat P-T results, between 937 "Cf42.4 kbar and
1036 OC147.7 kbar (Figure 4-1). The gap roughly corresponds to a division between
lower pcesswe and temperature Ihemlitic assemblages and higher pressure and
temperature barzburgitic assemblages.
Towp - PMm Results
Graphite
0'
Io 30 40 50 60 70 80
P (kbar - MC74)
" A l " ."Al" Sheared A"G" O'V' + Kirkland Lake O Somerset Hs. XStave coarse X Slave sheared
Figure 4-1 : Pressure - Temperature results for Attawapiskat xenoliths. The xenoliths have equilibrium pressures and temperatures that fall along a 40mwmD2 wnductive subcratonic steady-state geothennal gradient. Graphite - diamond stability, Kennedy and Kennedy (1 976); 40mWm-2 geothermal gradient, Pollack and Chapman, (1 977); Kirkland Lake data, Vicker (1 997); Somerset Island data. Jago (personal communication); Slave data, Kopylova et al. (1999) and MacKenzie and Canil(1999).
Attawapiskat xenoliths equilibrated at lower temperatures and pressures compared to
coarse gamet peridotites firom other Canadian localities. Some Slave craton coarse
peridotites equilibrated at higher temperahues, at pressures within the diamond stability
field (Figure 4-1 ; Kopylova et al., 1999; MacKenPe and Canil, 1999). These sarnples
equilibrated on a slightly hotter geothcrmd gradient than those at Attawapiskat
(42rn~rn-* - Kopylova et ai., 1999; MacKeaPe and Canil, 1999). Somenet Island
peridotites define a geothemal gradient that inaects to high temperatures at pressures
> 45 kbar (Mitchell, 1978). Coarse peridotites h m Kirkland Lake have a bmad range of
equiiibnum temperatures and pressures, but genedly yield equilibrium temperatures
above the 40rnwmJ geothermal gradient at pressuns above 50 kbar (Vicker, 1997).
4.4 Thermometry Results
4.4.1 TOw9 for Coarse Gamet Peridotites
Temperatures of equilibration for garnet-olivine pairs were calculated using Tow9 at
an assumed equilibrium pressure of 40 kbar (which is consistent with the calculated
pressures discussed above). Results of the temperature calculations are smarized in
Table 4-1. Calculateci equilibrium temperatures were projected to a reference 4 0 r n ~ r n ' ~
geothermal gradient in Figure 4-2 by drawing horizontal tie-lines h m TOw9 at 40 kbar
to the reference geotherrnal gradient (see Figure 4-2 for a graphical explanation).
Temperatures were then recalcuiated using the pressure on the 40rnwrn*~ geothennal
gradient. nie ciifference between T i (at 40 kbar) and T i (assumed pressure) was
3 - 10 O C for al1 of the samples. Projection of calculated equiübriurn temperatures to a
known geothermal gradient in this manner aiiows for spatial cornparison of gamet -
T 0 ~ 7 9 At Assumed P,,,,,
50 75 100 125 150 175 200
Depth (km)
Figure 4-2: Equilikium temperatures for gamet - olivine pairs, calculated using OWls at an ascuimed pressure of 40 kôar. a) Temperature rewL wece horizontally proj8ded to a 40 m W 2 geothermal gradient (arrows). Temperatures were then recelarlateâ et aie pressure corresponding to the geothermal grdient This procedure was repeatd unül a final POT pair was atteined. b) Rewits of recaiculeüon ~roeess in (a). Thm is a mgap* in the results from -8SO - 1100 O C . Symbdsr red - Ihetzdite, blue - harzburgilie.
olivine chernistries with those of the composite xenotiths. Aithough absolute depths of
equiîibration for the gamet - olivine pairs are somewhat uncertain, relative stratigraphy
between the samples is preserved
Calculateci TOW79 for gamet-olivine pairs ranges h m 680 OC to 1 129 OC at an
assumed pressure of 40 kbar, with a slight "gap" h m -850 - 1 100 O C (Figure 4-2).
Seven of the sampies that lie below the 40 r n ~ r n - ~ geothermd gradient in Figure 4-2
contain gamets with compositions that fa11 in the lherzolite field in Figure 3-15. The
eighth sample contains gamet with hanburgite composition. Three samples plot above
the 40m~m" geothermal gradient in Figure 4-2. They may be classified as lhemlite
(two samples) and hanburgite (one sample) based on Ca0 and Cr203 content of the
gamets.
4.4.2 Ni-in-gamet Thmorneter
Trace element analyses of 14 low-Ca0 (harzburgitic) gamets fiom "V"
concentrate were used to determine TWn using the Ni-in-gamet themorneter of Canil
(1999). The Ni-in-gamet thennometer is based on the temperature sensitive partitionhg
of Ni between Mg-rich olivine (forsterite) and gamet. Ni strongly prefers partitions into
the octahedral site in olivine over the distorted cubic site in gamet due to a large
dinerence in stabiiization energy (Ross et al., 1996; Canil, 1999). The thermometer was
caiibrated using experimentally derived partition coefficients between coexisthg olivine
and gamet and naturai gamets o c c ~ g in Ihemlite and hanburgite xenoliths (Ryan et
al., 19%; Canil, 1994; Canïl, 1999). Howeva, the thermometer is applicable to single
garnets by assuming the gamet was in equiIiirium with a Mg-rich (forsteritic) m a d e
TNi Results
100 1 50 200 250
Depth (km)
Figure 4-3: Equilibrium temperatures calculated using the Ni-in- gamet thennometer. Temperatures have been projected to the 40 m ~ m " geothermal gradient in a simllar manner to those results in Figure 4-2. TNi span the "gapn in temperature seen in Figures 4-1 and 4-2.
olivine. Mantle olivines have Ni contents which typically range h m 2700 - 3 1 00 ppm.
The average Ni content for mantle oiivines (2900 ppm) Grifnn et ai. (1989) may be used
to calculate TNi for single gamets of pendotite &v. TNi is caiculated by,
where T is temperature in K, and @' ~i = [Nilo I Fi],i @pm) (Canil, 1999). [Nilo! is
assumed to be 2900 ppm. Error in eq. (8) is i50 OC (Canil, 1994; Canil, 1999).
Results of TNi for the 14 "V" gamets have been projected to the 40 r n ~ r n - ~
geothemal gradient using the same method for Tow9 results discussed above (Figure 4-
3). Relative stratigraphy of the source rocks is pnserved whereas tnie depths of
equilibration are uncertain. The temperatures cluster between 950 - 1091 OC. Calculated
T N ~ span the temperature "gap" in the Tom and Towg-PMm results. The range in TNi,
and their approximate depths of ongin, coincide with the higher P-T group (harzburgite)
of xenolitbs.
4.4.3 Cornparison of Toms and TN~
The temperature dependant exchange of Fe and Mg between coexisting olivine and
gamet calfirated for the 0W79 themorneter has a slight dependence on Ca content of
gamet and a slight pressure dependence, related to volume expansion in the exchange
reactioa as pressure increases (O'Neill and Wood, 1979). The "IN'' tenn (eq. 4) corrects
for most of this dependence, but emr in eq. (1) is somewhat gceater at higher pressun
because of the dependence (above 6Okbar (approximately @valent to temperatures
>14ûû OC) and below 600 OC, cmr is 190 O C -O'Neill and Wood, 1979). For the
temperature range 600-1300 OC, TOw9 is within Mi0 O C of the Wells (1977) two-
pyroxene thermometer (O'Neill and Wood, 1979). Emr in 0W79 is comparable to e m r
in experimentally caiibrated two-pyroxene thermometers (O'Neill and Wood, 1979;
Finnerty and Boyâ, 1987).
The Ni-in-gamet thermometer has several advantages over conventional two-phase
thennometers. It is applicable to single grains recovereà h m diamond exploration
samples, or for gamets fiom heavy mineral concentrates. TNi is independent of pressure,
so no correction temis are necessary (Canil, 1999). The Ni-in-gamet themometer of
Canil(1999) assumes gamet coexisted with olivine with 2900 ppm Ni, so it is only
applicable to peridotitic gamets. Appiication of the Ni-in-gamet themorneter to Fe-rich
defornicd peridotites and fertile lherzolites has w t been tested.
Results of OW79 and the Ni-in-gamet themometer for this study yield very similar
results (Figures 4-2 and 4-3). Calculated equilibrium temperatures using TNi for
harzburgitic gamets are somewhat more restricted than those for gamet harzburgite
gamets calculateci using 0W79 (T Ni - 950 OC to 1091 OC, Tow9 - 808 OC to1129 OC).
4.5 Deformed Lherzolites
One defomed lherzolite sample from pipe "Al" yields T o w ~ ~ = 927.0 OC and P M ~ =
42.9 kbar. This point plots just into the diamond stability field, on the 4 0 m ~ r n - ~
geothermal gradient in Figue 4-1. Emt of *60 O C and I3 kbar would place the sample
£ûrther into the diamond stability field or below the graphite-diamond univariant in the
graphite stability field (Figures 4-1).
The single defomed lheczolite h m pipe "Al" has a low calculated Twii. Deformed
lhazoiites h m Kimberley South Afnca (Boyd and Nixon, 1977), Matsoku, Lesotho
Attawapiskat P-T Results
Figure 44: Pressure - Temperature results from Attawapiskat compared to sheared gamet lhemlite pressures and temperatures from worldwide sources. Data for Elwin Bay, Northwest Tenitories, Mitchell (1977); Letseng, Lesotho, Boyd (1973); Thaba Putsoa and Mothae, Lesotho, Nixon (1 973) and Nixon and Boyd (1 973); Slave province, Northwest Territories, Kopylova et al. (1 999) and MacKenzie and Canil(1999).
76
(Cox et al., 1973) and the Thumb minnette, New Mexico (Harte, 1983) have similarly
Iow equilibration temperatUres. Worldwide, however, d e f o d lhenolites typically
have calculatecl equilibration temperatures above a 40 r n ~ r n ' ~ steady - state geothemal
gradient (Nixon and Boyd 1973; Boyd and Nixon, 1978; Boyd, 1987; Harte, 1983).
Table 4-1: Pressure - Temperature Resulb
SAMPLE Rock Type gamet chemistry ctassificatbn
1 3-95-33 gnt. lherrdite 1 3-95-67 gnt. harzburgite 13-95-35 gnt. harzburgite 1 3-95-42 gntchr harrburgite 1 3-97-78 gnt. harzburgite 1 3-97-83 gnt. lherzolite
Aît-AW1 disrupted gnt. lherzolite
M-AI-p2 coane gnt. lherrdite
13-99-1 8 gnt. lherzolite
Temperature only
1 3-95-34 gnt. lherzolite
13-95-48 gnt. lherzolite 13-95-50 gnt. lherzolite 13-95-52 gnt. Ihemlite 1 3-95-56 gnt. Iherrolite 1 3-95-59 gnt. harzburgite 1 3-95-70 gnt. lherzolite 1 3-97-81 gnt. lherzdite
1 3-97-82 gnt. lherzolite 13-1 02-09 gnt. harzburgite
modal cJassikat&n
gnt. harzburgite gnt. harzburgite gnt. harzburgite
gnt-chr harzburgite gnt. harzburgite gnt. lherzolite
gnt. lherzdite
gnt. lherzolite gnt. lherzdite
gnt-oliv pair gntoliv pair gntoliv pair gnt-oliv pair gnt-oliv pair gnt-oliv pair gnt-oliv palr gnt-oliv pair
gnt-oliv palr gnt-oliv pair
CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION
5.1 Introduction
Resuits of analysis of uitramafic xenoliths h m the Attawapiskat kimberlites have
been used to determine vertical heterogeneity in the rnantle beneath the eastern Sachigo
subprovince durllig the late to middle Jurassic. The results of this study represent the nrst
conductive subcratonic steady-state geothermal gradient determination for the Sachigo
subprovince, and for that portion of the Superior Province which is covered by the
Palaeozoic sedimentary rocks of the Hudson Bay laif for m.
5.2 Mineral Cbemishy
Ultramafic rnantle xenoliths nom the Attawapiskat kimberlites are small, and
typically occur as gamet - olivine pairs. Modal classification of the xenolith suite
indicates that the mautle below Attawapiskat consists of hanburgite, with minor volumes
of lhmolite and eclogite. Rock type classification of the composite xenolitb based on
mineral chernistry indicates that the mantle below Attawapiskat is approximately
bhodal, consisting of abundant ihenolite with significant amounts of hanburgite.
Eclogite is volumetrically insignificant at Attawapiskat. Gamet-olivine pairs are
predominantly iherzolite-derived, however, harzburgite hgments contniute
considerably to the suite.
Classification of composite mantle assemblages based on gamet chemistry is
pmblematic, as the divisions in Figures 3-1,3-2,3-3 and 3-15 are based on statistical
analyses of gamets included in diamond and not on gamets h m xenoüths. Fipke et al.
(1995) use the "G9", "G10" and "Eclogite" fields of Gumey (1984) to relate the chemical
composition of gamet xenocrysts to parent rock type. In the case of the Attawapiskat
ulüamafic xenoiith suite, modal classification has been augmented by chemical
classification, particularly for the gamet - olivine pairs.
Analysis of gamets h m heavy mineral separates expands the data suite from the
cognate xenoiiths. Gamet xenocrysts indicate that the mantle below Attawapiskat is
predominantly îhenolitic, with subordhate amounts of hanburgite. The paucity of
eclogite at depth indicated by the xenolith suite is comborated by xenocryst analyses.
Cr-diopsides recovered h m pipe 'Y are ferroan compared to Cr-diopsides h m
corne and sheared lhenolites h m Lesotho (Boyd, 1973; Cox et al., 1973; Nixon and
Boyd, 1973 - Figure 3-1 9). Xenocryst compositions correspond closely to those for
metasomatic clinopyroxenes in the xenoliths, indicating the xenocryst population is
dominated by metasomatic clinopyroxene. It is unknown why primary clinopyroxene did
not survive in the xenoüth and xenocryst populations.
5.3 Geothermobarometry
5.3.1 Pressure - Temperature Results
Subcratonic conductive steady-state geothemal gradients equal to 40 mwmZ have
been calculated for the Kaapvaal croton, southem Afiica, Siberia (FUuierty and Boyd,
1987), and for the Supaior Craton, Canada (Meyer, 1994; Vicker, 1997). A 40 mwmw2
geothermal gradient is considend typical of deep, cool pendotitic mots at the centres of
cratons (Fimerty and Boyd, 1987). Meyer (1994) and Vicker (1997) both showed that
the Kirkland Lake suite of xenoliths h m the Abitibi subprovince correspond to a centrai
- cratonic geothemal gradient. Results of this study are consistent with the location of
these kimberlites in the Sachigo subprovince in the central region of the Superior Craton.
The equilibration depths of the samples corroborates the estimate of 150 km depth to the
iithosphere-asthenoqhere boundary by Grand (1987).
Calculated equilibrium pressures and temperatures indicate that the made below
Attawapiskat is layeml. Gamet iheczoiite xenoliths typically equilibrated at shallower
depths than gamet hanburgites. The majonty of gamet Iherzolites equilibrated at
pressures within graphite stab ility . Hanburgites typically equilibrated at higher pressures
and temperatures than the Uienolites, and two of three hanburgite samples equiiiirated
at pressures within the diarnond stability field.
5.3.2 Temperature ResuIts
Temperatures of equilibration calculated for gametslivine pairs ushg OW79, and TNi
coincide with the temperature range of the xenoliths for which both equilibrium pressure
and temperature were determined. 0W79 results indicate that the majority of lherzolite
xenoliths equilibrated at pressures and temperatures within the graphite stability field.
Two gamet -olivine pairs of lhexzolite afnnity equilibrated within the diamond stability
field. Hanburgitic gamet - olivine pairs equilibrated at pressures within both diamond
and graphite stability. TNi for harzburgitic gamets do not extend below - 940 OC,
consistent with the higher Twil established for gamet hanburgite samples using OW79.
5.3.3 The Attawapiskat P-T "Gap"
Thmobarometry on composite xmoüths indicates there is a segment of the mantle,
near 45 - 50 kbar (140 - 160 lm depth)/ 950 - 1000 O C that is not represented by the
mautle xenolith suite. Results for for Tow9 for gamet - olivine pairs have the same
"gap" in data. TNi for low-Ca0 gamets extend into the gap, suggesting that there rnay be
a layer of harzburgite between 140 - 160 km depth that was sampIed but did not survive
as composite xenoliths during kimberlite eniption.
5.4 Metasomatism
Metasomatism is the in situ enrichment of a mantle peridotite by an LIL- and LREE-
enricheci fluid or volatile-rich silicate magma, nsulthg in an emic hment/depletion
reaction between the host rock and infiltrating fluid (Harte 1983; Spera, 1987; MenPes
and Hawksworth, 1987). The result of the interaction may be 1) the introduction of one
or more new hydrous phases, such as phîogopite and amphibole (modal metasomatism),
or 2) LREE enrichment and major element depletion in the host rock phases, without any
accompanyuig change in the modal mineralogy (cryptic metasomatism - Harte, 1983;
Spera, 1987; Menzies and Hawksworth, 1987). Secoadary minerals are the product of
reactions between the m a d e assemblage and the volatile-rich kimberlite magma as the
xenoliths are transporteci to and sit at the d a c e (Harte, 1983).
Excess chrome h m the breakdown of Cr-pyrope is acwmmodated as vermicular
chromite inclusions in the phlogopite and amphiibok replacing the gamet. It may be
inferred that srnail "clots" of phlogopite + amphibole chromite in some xmolitbs are
completely nplaced gamets (&la& et al., 1987). It is possible to extend this iaference to
several phlogopite + amphibole * chromite fragments in the kimberlite - they may be
hgrnents of completely replaced gamet h m coarse-grahed metasomatized lhenolites
(Erlank et al., 1987). Gamet harzburgites and gamet - olivine pairs of harzburgite
af'hity have gamet which is partially replaceci by metasomatic clinopytoxene ody. The
metasomatic assemblage at Attawapiskat is similar to that at Monastery, South Afnca,
where Summers (1987) sbowed tbat metasomatism took place in stages, with graduai
replacement of gamet by clinoppxene + amphibole + amphibole + phlogopite with
decreasing depth. Vicker (1997) noted clinopyroxene metasomatism in the Kirkland
Lake, Ontario xenoliths, but not amphibole metasornatism. Metasomatism at
Attawapiskat appears to have penetrated to greater depths than that at Kirkland Lake.
Petrographic, chernical and therrnobarometric evidence suggests two different types
of metasomatism occurred at Attawapiskat: 1) Modal metasomatism of gamet lherzolite
between -1 20 - 140 km, where garnet comumed by phlogopite + amphibofe, and 2)
Modal metasomatism of a dominantly hanburgite made at depths greater than -160km,
when gamet was partially replaced by clinopyroxene. A similar relationship was
observed in mantle xenolitbs h m Kimberley, South Africa by Erlank et al. (1987).
Phlogopite and amphibole metasomatism is resûicted to shailow samples, whereas
clinopyroxene metasomatism occuned at deeper intervals. The same relationship
between depth and type of metasomatism is evident at Attawapiskat, however, parent
rock type seems to have played a roll as weU. Shallow lhemlites have amphibole +
phlogopite metasomatism whereas deeper hanburgite hgments have unâergone
clinopyroxene metasomatism. Compositions of the phlogopite, amphibole and
clinoppxene indicate that the metasomatising fiuid was Ti& and &O- poor.
Dawson (1987) and Lloyd (1987) argue that replacement of relatively dense gamet by
light oxides in gamet pendotite may create a density conûast in the mantle that couid
lead to gravitational instabilities at depth, conûibuting to local buoyancy of the overlying
craton. The =suit of large-scale metasomatism could lead to the creation of craton-scale
basin and dome structures, and associated rifüng. The degree to which metasomatic
alteration of the lithospheric m a d e conhibutes to craton buoyancy wiii typicaily be
mal1 but may make an important contribution to craton buoyancy when coupled with
larger instability influences sucb as isostatic rebound &et glacial reheat (Lloyd, 1987).
Amphibole and phlogopite metasomatism was oniy a small component of the total
metasomatic event at Attawapiskat, and will likely have had a negligible role in Superior
Craton buoyancy. Cr-diopside and pympe gamet have very similar densities @eer et al.,
1966), and clinopymxene metasomatism will not have had any effixt on the gravitational
stability of the upper mantle
5.5 Deformed Peridotites
One defonned lhenolite sample was recovered from the Attawapiskat kimberlite.
Calculated pressure and temperature of equilibration for this sarnple place it near the
40mwni2 g e o t h d gradient. This is similar to Bultfontein, Kimberley, South Afnca
(Dawson et al., 1975; Boyd and Nixon, 1978), Matsolni, Lesotho (Harte et al., 1975). and
the Thumb minnette in New Mexico, (Harte, 1983), when defomed pendotites have
pressures and temperatures of equilibration that fdl on or near the local geothmal
gradient.
Worldwide, deformed perîdotites may be correlated with high estimated equilibrium
temperatures, and define high-temperanire inflections in the local geothermal gradient at
depths > 150 km Finnerty and Boyd, 1987). This is particularly pmounced in xenoliths
h m northern Lesotho (Finnerty and Boyd, 1987). Finnerty and Boyd (1987) and Boyd
(1987) argue that hi&-temperature deformed lhenolites form in regions where the
lithosphere - astiienosphere bormdary is shaliow, particdariy in circum-cratonic mobile
belts. The low-temperature deformed iherzolites at Attawapiskat are typical of regions
where cool craton mots penetrate to depths > 150 km (Boyd and Nixon, 1987; Boyd,
1987).
5.6 Diamond Potential
Diamonds h m eclogite are not expectcd at Attawapiskat. Gumey (1984) showed
that 85% of peridotite garnet diamond inclusions have compositions that fa11 on the Cao-
poor portion of Figure 3-15, the "banburgite" field. Hanburgite xenoiiths at
Attawapiskat equiliirated at pressures and temperatures near or in the diamond stability
field (Figure 4-1). The presence of diamonds at Attawapiskat is consistent with the high
P-T hanburgite xenolith suite.
Results of TNi for gamet xenocrysts indicate that a layer of hanburgite, which
equilirated at temperatures comsporiding to the diamond stability field, was sampled by
the Attawapiskat kimberlites but did not survive as cognate xenoliths. Ifthis layer of
harzburgite containeci diamonds, there is a high possibility that the diamonds SUCVived
kimberlite eruption and are recovdle h m the kimberlite.
CaAPTER 6: CONCLUSIONS
6.1 The Attawapiskat Mantle Xenolith Suite
The Attawapiskat mantle xenolith suite is representative of a dominantly lherzolitic
mantle, with subordinate amounts of hanburgite and eclogite. Estimated pressures and
temperatures of equiiibcium for xenoliths define a 40rn~rn'~ conductive steady-state
subcratonic geothemal gradient below the Sachigo subprovince of the Supenor Province
of the Canadian Shield.
The xenoiith assemblage at Attawapiskat includes deformed peridotites with
estimated equilibration temperatures and pressures which fa11 near the 40mwmJ
geothemal gradient. This is similar to the cold, sheared pendotites fiom Kimberley,
South M c a , Matsoku, Lesotho, and Thumb, New Mexico. This appears to be unique
within Canada, as al1 other Canadian localities report some high-temperature sheared
peridotites.
Lhenolite and hanburgite xenoliths have different metasomatic assemblages.
Modal metasornatim of shallow-derived lhenolites resulted in the introduction of
phlogopite + amphibole (pargasite) * chrornite at the expense of gamet. Deeper
harzburgite xenoliths have undergone modal metasomatism where gamet is consumed by
clinopyroxene only. The identity and source of the fluid nmains undetennined.
The presence of hanburgite xenoliths with caiculated equilibrium pressures and
temperatures within the diamond stability field is consistent with the presence of diamond
in the Attawapislrat kimberlite pipes.
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Appecidix A: Electron Microprobe Standards and Operations Specifications
Olivine
1 SAMPLE 1 m0 1 Si02 1 Ca0 1 Cr203 1 Mn0 1 F e 0 1 Ni0 1 Total 1 13-95-3311 50.391 41.283 0.005 0.004 0,110 7.733 0.334 99.860
Mg0 1 Si02 [ Ca0 1 Cr203 1 Mn0 1 Fe0 ( NI0 i Total ] 13-95-5211 50.500 41.275 0.004 0,015 0.1 14 7,728 0.380 100.015
Appndix 6 Mineral Analysis Results O tivine
Mineral Analysis Results Gamet
App.ndix 6 Mineral Analysis Results Gamet
L N I Z O 1 Mg0 AI203 1 Si02 1 Mn0 1 Fe0 1 Ca0 1 Ti02 1 CR03 1 Total 1 13-95-48/~-c 0,092 19.620 19.154 41.41 1 0.452 7.796 5.462 0,267 6,563 100.725
Appandix B Mineral Analysis Results Gamet
Appendix 6 Mineral Analysis Results Gamet
W P L E I NUO' 1 Mg0 1 Al203 1 Sm2 1 Mn0 1 Feô 1 Ca0 1 Ti02 1 CR03 1 Total ] 13-102a9/~0(82 0,050 20.522 19.546 40.828 0,424 7.833 4.041 0,115 5,602 98,961
Gamet
Appendix 8 Mineral Analysis Results Orthopyroxene
Mineral Analysis Results Clinopyroxene
Metasama* Cllnopyroxene (not nalyzed for Ni)
Appendix B Mineral Analysis Resulb Amphibole
IWM Na20 Ma0 A1203 Si02 Cr203 Mn0 Fe0 CI K20 Ti02 Ca0 Total 1
Appendix B Minent Analysis Resuîts Phlogopite
13-9&33/2 13-054w3 13-95-341 t -dm 13-95-34/11oore 13-95-34M-rirn lS-95-3412~re 1345-Wl24m2 13-95.4711 d m 13-9547/1-Core 13-9547/~-com1 1 M H 7 / l M 13-95-4711are3 13-9547/1-rimt 1 W 7 / l dm2 13-95-47M-rn l3-9WWvdnl 134H?/Vein2 13-9547lveinS 1 %9S-Wl 13-95-4912 1345-4914 1 3-9H95 I3-95-Wl 1 S95-59/2 13-95-59/3 1 M&S9/4 lS-99-lWfilling vein t 3-9911 812
Appndix 6 Mineral Analysis Results Gamets from "Al" Concentrate
1 PONT Na20 Mg0 AI203 SI02 Mn0 Fe0 Ca0 TI02 Cr203 Total 0,016 15.961 23.837 41 .O29 0,252 8,796 9.735 0.107 0.086 99,819
Appendix 6 Mineral Analysis Results Gamets from "Al" Concentrate
1 P O W Na20 Mg0 Al203 Si02 Mn0 Fe0 Ca0 Ti02 Cr203 Total 1 31 0.044 19.675 22.388 41.316 0.400 9.353 4.570 0.299 1.751 99.796
Mineral Analysis Results Gamets from "Al" Concentrate
1 POINT Na20 Mg0 Al203 Si02 Mn0 Fe0 Ca0 ~ i 0 2 cn03 TOW ] 62 0.034 19,661 21,555 41.138 0.389 9.548 4.777 0.375 2.365 99.843
Appendix B Mineral Analysis Results Gamets frorn "AV Concentrate
1 W*(T Na20 Mg0 A1203 Si02 Mn0 Fe0 Ca0 Tl02 CR03 Total 1 93 0.0140 19,366 21.553 41.316 0.416 9.475 4.714 0,415 2,466 99.761
Appendix 6 Mineral Analysis Resuks Gamets from "Alm Concentrate
1 POWf Na20 Mg0 Al203 Si02 Mn0 Fe0 Ca0 Ti02 CR03 Total 1 124 0,026 19.787 21.400 4t,228 0.524 8.199 4.672 0.020 3.600 99.456
iynndix 6 Mineral Anatysis Results Gamets from "Alw Concentrate
1 poim ~ix, M ~ O -3 si02 Mn0 Fe0 Ca0 Ti02 Cr203 Total 155 0,040 19,709 19.864 40.753 0.422 7,913 4,866 0.128 5.650 99.347
Appndix 6 Mineral Analysis Results Gamets from "Aiu Concentrate
( POINT N a 0 Mg0 Al203 Si02 Mn0 Fe0 Ca0 Ti02 Cr203 Total 186 0.049 19,398 18.845 40.û61 0.400 7.859 5.155 0.188 6.919 99.474 '
Mineal Analysis Results Gamets from "GW Concentrate ( PONT Si02 Ti02 AI203 CROS Fe0 Mn0 Mg0 Ca0 Na20 Total 1
1 38,309 0,125 22.351 0.055 17,693 0,493 10.652 9,218 0.039 99,935
Appendix B Minera! Analysis Results Gamets from "Gw Concentrate 1 POINT Si02 Ti02 Ai203 Cr203 Fe0 Mn0 Mg0 Ca0 Na20 Total 1
31 40,981 0,130 19,659 5.720 7,804 0.414 19.546 5,463 0.046 99,763
Appendix 6 Mineml Analysis Results Gamets from "G" Concentrate
1 POINT Si02 Ti02 AI203 Cr203 Fe0 Mn0 Mg0 Ca0 Na20 Total 61 41,463 0.389 22.338 1.487 9.260 0.370 19.929 4.368 0,050 99,654
Appendix 6 Mineral Analysis Results Gamets from "Gw Concentrate
1 POINT Si02 Ti02 Al203 Cr203 Fe0 Mn0 Mg0 Ca0 Na20 Total 1 97 41.544 0.197 22.228 2.566 8.215 0.395 20.282 4,695 0.040 100.162
Appbndix 8 Minenl Analysis Results Gamets from "V" Concentrate
Appendix B Mineral Analysis Results Gamets from 71" Concentrate
Mineral Analysis Results Gamets from "V" Concentrate
b POmT Na20 Mg0 M O 3 Si02 Mn0 Fe0 Ca0 Ti02 CR03 Total 1 60 0.069 19,260 18.480 41 A23 0,346 8,421 5.1î2 0,444 6,264 99.830
Appendix 6 Mineral Analysis Results Clinopyroxenes from "V" concentrate
EPLE Na20 SKU AI203 Mg0 Cr203 Mn0 Fe0 Ni0 KZO Ca0 Ti02 Total a3 1,414 55.523 0.261 16.236 2.1 15 0.045 2.116 0.038 0.007 22.734 0.112 lM).W1l
iynndix B Mineral Analysis Results Clinopyroxenes from "Vm concentrate ISAMPLE Na20 SI02 Al203 M O Cr203 Mn0 Fe0 Ni0 K20 Ca0 no2 ~ota l 1
Appendix 8 Minera1 Analysis Results Orthopyrowene from "V" Concentrate
Minerpl Analysis Resutts Chromites from "V" Concentrate
Appendix B Mineral Analysis Results Chromites from 71" Concentrate
Appendix B Minenl Analysis Results Chromites from "V" Concentrate
QOlNT Si02 Al203 Mg0 Mn0 Fe0 Ni0 Ti02 Cr203 Ca0 Zn0 Total ] 60 0,039 6,957 11.230 0.262 19,983 0,146 0,721 58.801 0,000 0.061 98,199
Element Isotope Unit 9K18AW 1 9K18A05 1 9K18A06 1 9K18A07 1 9K18A08 1 9K18A09 1 9K18AlO 1 9K18All 1 9Kl8At2 1 9K18A13 1 9K18A14 1 9K18A15 1 9K18Ai6 1 9K18A17 i
Cao 42
wt% 5.20 6-50 5.40 4.70 5.60 4.40 5-90 5.70 4.60 4.60 5.70 4.40 4.90 3.60
Minerai Analysis Resub LA4CPUS data for 14 gamets from V concentrate
Mineral Analysis Resulb LA-ICP-MS chta for 14 gamets from 71" concentrate
Ttl 232
F'l'm 0*02 0.36 0.03 0.02 0.05 0.03 0.07 0*00 0.07 o*a6 0.00 0*00 0.02 0*00